Catalog Auction info Auction #152 - Two-Day Sale, November 21st & 22nd (#152) 11/21/2026 9:00 AM EST Starts Ending 11/21/2026 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #152 Wonderful Gustave Young Engraved & Gold Inlaid Smith & Wesson 44 Double Action Frontier Revolver Likely Displayed at the 1893 Columbian Exposition & Associated with Nevada Lawman Claude Inman Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Estimate: $75,000 - $125,000 Starting: $55,000 Description Description: serial #28518, 44-40, 5” barrel with a bright near excellent bore showing a few small spots of oxidation and strong rifling throughout. When purchased by Peter DeRose some 13 years ago, this revolver had scanned documentation and an accompanying elk hide flap holster. These unfortunately have been misplaced in the intervening years and chaos after his passing. The factory correspondence by Roy Jinks indicates that the revolver was open on the records and that he believed it to be a show display gun for the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, a scan of this document is included. The revolver was apparently later owned by Goldfield, Nevada police chief Claude Inman, according to his son who inherited the arm in 1962 it was given to Claude toward the end of his service as chief by Tex Rickard, saloon owner, boxing promoter and founder of the New York Rangers. Claude Inman originally arrived in Goldfield as a carpenter but later became the police chief and was praised for cleaning up the rough and tumble gold town. While only serving from 1907-1909, Inman left quite an impression on the town and was involved in everything from opium den raids, busting up gold smuggling rings and confronting horse thieves. Inman later moved to California and passed away there in 1962. A 1957 newspaper story from the Daily Breeze by Kip Chase highlighted Mr. Inman’s fascinating life and included a photograph of him holding a 44 DA revolver, purportedly this very gun! This revolver is also pictured and described on pages 200 and 201 of “The Peacemakers: Arms and Adventure in the American West” by R.L. Wilson and page 109 of “Smith & Wesson Engraving” by Kennelly. The revolver is extensively embellished with the finest quality detailed flowing foliate scrollwork with very fine line matted background shading and clean wavy line and tiny wedge border motifs throughout. Young’s distinctive cinches within the scrollwork can be found on either side, and the sides of barrel, frame, cylinder flats and behind hammer all show exceptional gold inlaid foliate scroll consistent with the style of the other documented Columbian Expo guns we have handled and that are pictured in “Smith & Wesson Engraving”. The revolver has seen some honest carrying during the period of use, the barrel and frame retaining perhaps 65% original bright blue with the balance flaking to a mild gunmetal and gray-brown patina with a few scattered pinprick pits. The cylinder has mostly flaked to the same patina showing generous streaks of original bright blue throughout the protected areas. The hammer and trigger retain most of their nice vibrant case-hardened colors. All embellishments remain crisp and clear and the barrel shows typical two-line address and patent dates. The revolver wears an interesting set of obviously period green-dyed reptile or perhaps ray skin-covered walnut grips with gold-washed grip screw and escutcheons. Their interiors are un-numbered but they fit very well and show a nice patina and mild edge wear consistent with the balance of the arm. The barrel, cylinder and latch are matching the frame and the revolver is sighted with a pinned Sheard blade front sight and typical factory notch rear. Barrel-to-frame fit is solid and the full and half cock notches are worn however double action is functional with good timing and lock-up. This is a very lovely and fascinating revolver for the most advanced Smith & Wesson or frontier arms collector. (13G11730-1229) [Ex-William H.D. Goddard Collection] {ANTIQUE} [Peter DeRose Collection] (75,000/125,000) Categories: Firearm, Handgun Terms and conditions TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE The following paragraphs represent the terms under which all sales by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. are conducted. Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase, we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them. All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignor’s interests. PAYMENT POLICY All invoices are payable upon receipt. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, wire transfer, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Online payment is available for buyers directly through the online invoicing process. Bidders who fail to pay their invoices in full by the 25th day following the sale agree to have their total invoice amount charged to the credit card listed on file and therefore forfeit any cash discount they may have previously been entitled to. Credit card purchases are limited to $50,000.00 per customer, per auction. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to demand cash or hold merchandise until funds are collected in full. There will be a $35.00 charge for all returned checks. A 21% Buyer’s Premium will be added to all purchases regardless of price with a 3.5% discount when paid with check, cash or wire transfer. This premium is to be paid as part of the purchase price. Additionally, the 2.5% cash discount will only apply to invoices paid promptly, within 14 calendar days of the auction. Buyers should be aware of common delays in the mail and if that is a concern they are welcome to call our office to receive wire transfer information. No items are to be removed from our facility until paid for in full by the purchaser. All International customers must make payment via wire transfer, credit card payments will not be accepted. GUIDELINES FOR FIREARM DELIVERIES All Federal, State and Local firearms laws will be strictly adhered to. FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale (excluding Class III) when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. If an FFL dealer is sending an “agent” to pick up items, that person must be a bona fide, paid employee of the company with a W4 on file. Outside contractors cannot be used as pickup agents. A SIGNED LETTER FROM THE FFL STATING THIS FACT MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PICK UP. The FFL Dealer will in turn be notified that a transfer was made to you as their agent. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm, on day of sale, provided the proper paperwork is completed and the transfer has been approved either through the N.H. State Police or the FBI NICS System, whichever is appropriate based upon the type of firearm(s) purchased. Non-resident individuals from states without waiting periods may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check. If you reside in a state with a waiting period, your items will need to be shipped to a dealer in your state. No modern handguns will be delivered to non-resident individuals. All modern handguns purchased by non-resident individuals will need to be delivered to or shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer’s home state. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and all items must be paid for on day of sale. Bidders should be familiar with their local and state laws as Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped to their state of residence. Some states have restrictions on transfers to C&R License holders, study your state and local laws before bidding. If you are the winning bidder of an item that you find does not comply with your state’s laws, you will still be required to pay your invoice, Amoskeag Auction Co. will then re-offer the arm on your behalf. FIREARM CLASSIFICATION: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required MODERN - Post-1898 firearm which requires an FFL or 4473 with corresponding successful background check in order to be delivered. C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required. NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License. SAFETY WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use. SHIPPING • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will make every effort to ship items in a timely fashion. All items, with the exception of Modern and C&R handguns, are shipped via UPS Ground unless other arrangements have been made. All merchandise is shipped Signature Required. • All Modern and C&R handguns are shipped via UPS Next Day Air service. • Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and for insurance on the items being shipped. Purchasers who self-insure can forego insurance charges if Amoskeag Auction is notified of your intent to self-insure. PICKING UP MERCHANDISE • Pickup will be by appointment only. • OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE SALE. No merchandise will be delivered on those days. We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday. • Our office hours are Monday through Friday - 8:00 am to 4:00pm.
