Historic Dalton Gang Shotgun Up For Auction
Ventura, California (Casitas Springs) (PRWEB) November 21, 2013 -- Grat Dalton's custom double barrel sawed-off WW Greener Shotgun will go to the highest bidder. Grat eluded escaped from Sheriff Eugene Kay and one of the most committed manhunts of his time to escape California, only to fall in Coffeville shortly after. A chance to own one of the last true vestiges of the American West handed down from his brother Littleton Dalton along with an amazing collection of California Outlaw pieces from the collection of historian and author Frank F. Latta will be on the block Nov. 24, 10am
After The Dalton's first Train attempted train robbery: February 6th, 1891 on the Southern Pacific train in Alila, California, Grat Dalton was captured by Sheriff Eugene Kay and went to jail while his Shotgun awaited pickup at a Bakersfield Gunsmith.
After which Grat made one of the most memorable prison escapes in California history. Grat's brother Littleton, who hid the gang at his farm, claimed the weapon. It remained in his hands until the 1930's when Littleton presented it to author, collector and California Historian Frank F. Latta with whom he had spent days being interviewed for Latta's book on the gang.
Upon Latta's death, the gun passed to his daughter whose notarized letter of provenance describes the shotgun and its ownership. The shotgun is on the cover of the 2nd edition and pictured on page 132 of Frank Latta's book 'Dalton Gang Days’ published by Bear State Books.
The stock had been sawn-off, as has the muzzle end, making this another example of how the Dalton brothers smithed their weapons to be the most dangerous outlaws of their time. (Bill Dalton removed the Safety's on his Winchesters to shoot them half cocked) Truly a piece of California Outlaw History!
Jewels Eubanks, California Auctioneers, +1 (805) 649-2686, [email protected]
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