1. New York State Bank Robbery Grouping
This neat lot consists of two revolvers: Smith & Wesson .38 double action fourth model revolver serial #460619, .38 Smith & Wesson, 2 1/4” professionally period-shortened barrel with an excellent bore. The second revolver is a Belgian double action "protection" marked top break serial #1493, also in 38 Smith & Wesson, 3 1/2" barrel with a fair bore. These two revolvers are accompanied by three mugshots from the Police Department, Binghamton New York, Bureau of Identification. Each gun, in turn has an ID tag attached to it with twine, identified in ink pen. These guns and the three perpetrators identified in the accompanying mugshots were involved in a bank burglary in Greene, New York on November 27, 1911. During the robbery three perpetrators: James Lang, Charles Rogers, and James Hill dynamited the safe in the bank and attempted to effect an escape. During the escape Charles Rogers was shot and all three men arrested. The mugshots themselves are rather interesting showing a right profile and a face-on shot of each man in their suit coats, ties and tab collars. The phsical characteristics of each man are listed on the front of the card, the rear lists their names and aliases as well as any marks, scars, tattoos etc. James Lang has numerous aliases one of which is "Black Billy"; Mr. Charles Rogers is also known as "New Britain Blackie" and James Hill "Providence Slim". Evidently the men were apprehended by a Mr. AP Elliott on Beldon Hill in the town of Greene New York, which is midway between Whitney Point and Bainbridge New York just southeast of the Finger Lakes region. The Smith & Wesson retains perhaps 80% original blue on the barrel and trigger guard while the frame and cylinder are mostly a smooth gray and brown patina with some minor pinprick pitting. In addition to the barrel being professionally period shortened, the hammer as well was very nicely bobbed. The checkered hard rubber grips rate very good, they are numbered to a different revolver. At some point there was an additional number added to the bottom of the revolver neatly stamped adjacent to the original serial number, "5465". The gun times and locks up well and all other numbers are matching. The Belgian "Protection" revolver retains perhaps 98% original nickel with some scattered sparse pinprick brown oxidation. It's hard rubber grips rate only fair, both showing moderate chips at their upper leading edge. This gun times and locks up mechanically as well, however it's firing pin nose appears to have been purposefully ground off as it no longer protrudes through the frame. Both of the guns were taken from "Providence Slim" and "New Britain Blackie" was shot in the left forearm and right ankle by officers during the pursuit and arrest. Really a very cool and intriguing lot, it would be interesting to find out further particulars of the robbery and whatever happened to these three "desperados". (3168-22) {C&R} (1000/2000) SOLD FOR $1265.00 |
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