Capital Campaign News

AUCTION to benefit Days of '76 Capital Campaign

08/01/08

DEADWOOD, S.D. -- A one-of-a-kind commemorative Colt revolver and the chief executive officer of Colt Manufacturing Co., are both scheduled to be on hand at the Deadwood Firearms and Old West Auction & Show, Aug. 14 to 17 at the Deadwood Pavilion.

The Colt single-action Army revolver, manufactured especially for the Days of ’76 Museum, will be auctioned off as a fund-raiser for the museum’s $6 million campaign to build a new facility.

Retired Marine Lt. Gen. William Keys, Colt’s president and CEO, is expected attend the Deadwood event. He’s bringing a team of top Colt officials, including Kathy Hoyt, Colt historian. Keys personally donated the Days of ’76 revolver to the museum.

The show and auction will coincide with another big Deadwood event: the arrival of wagon trains from Fort Pierre and Cheyenne, Wyo., to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of animal-powered transport to Deadwood. The wagon trains will meet on Deadwood’s Main Street at noon on Friday, Aug. 15. The wagon trains’ arrival will launch a weekend celebration at the Days of ’76 Rodeo Grounds, with barbecues and live cowboy music.

During the two-day auction, buyers will have a chance to bid on more than 1,500 items. The auction’s online (www.auctionproductions.com) includes rare firearms, Old West collectibles, antiques, artwork, saloon fixtures, vintage gambling equipment, rare jewelry and Native American craftwork and weapons.

Among the more unusual auction items are an original Abbot & Downing Stagecoach, completely restored, and a 1925 Wurlitzer Band Organ. The commemorative Colt revolver has been getting a lot of attention from gun collectors.

Bob Greene of Auction Productions said he contacted Colt CEO Keys, an old friend, about donating a pistol to the auction. “General Keys said, ‘What do you need? We’ll get it for you,’” Greene recalled. “He has been to Deadwood. He knows about the Days of ’76, and he wants to help the town.” The revolver is nickel-plated and engraved by Colt Master Engraver Steve Kamyk. The hand-scrimshawed the ivory grip bears the Days of ’76 on one side. On the other is the “Aces and Eights” poker hand – the cards Wild Bill Hickok was holding when he was gunned down in Deadwood in 1876. The serial number: DW 1876. The gun comes with a letter of authenticity signed by Keys.

The auction will be preceded by a two-day show in the Deadwood Pavilion with a number of vendor booths and displays, including the Colt Factory Display. Also, the auction items will be on display as well. The show is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. If you have an antique, collectible or curiosity, auction organizers invite you to bring it down and show it to the experts at the Deadwood Pavilion.

The auction itself will be conducted in two sessions. The first session begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. The final session, on Sunday, Aug. 17, also begins at 11 a.m.

Admission to the show and auction and show is free. Sale organizers will ask attendees for a donation to the Days of ’76 Museum Capital Campaign.

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For more information:
Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, 605-578-1876
info@daysof76museum.org