Originally manufactured in 1918, this particular Model 1892 lever action and its holster rig are instantly recognizable and iconic, standing proud as both Hollywood treasures and true pieces of Americana. This "Mare's Leg" is extensively documented as one of those used on-screen by the "King of Cool", Steve McQueen (1930-1980), in the television show that, in many ways, launched him into stardom, a show called "Wanted Dead or Alive". The story of this iconic firearm truly begins with the television series "Trackdown" (1957-1959), particularly the March 1958 episode titled "The Bounty Hunter". The up and coming actor Steve McQueen was hired to play "The Bounty Hunter" in that episode, a character named Josh Randall. It appears that, at the time, the episode may have actually been intended as a pilot episode for a spin off series, which Four Star Productions had already been considering. The show "Trackdown" itself was already a spin off of "Zane Grey Theater". It is believed that someone within the production company, possibly John Robinson, suggested a "gimmick" or eye-catching weapon for McQueen's bounty hunter character, likely to help gain approval for the spin off. Little did they know how truly iconic this “gimmick” would become. To create such an unforgettable weapon, it is noted by many sources that McQueen himself sought out the eccentric artist, motorcycle fabricator and enthusiast, pin striper, gunsmith, metal fabricator, counterculture icon, and apparent friend, Kenneth "Von Dutch" Howard (1929-1992). It is not entirely certain when the friendship between Von Dutch and McQueen began, but it was likely not long after McQueen's move to Los Angeles in 1955, given the similar circles they ran in. It is believed that it was McQueen and Von Dutch jointly that came up with the final design of the weapon, with Dutch being the one who actually made the modification. This partnership is clearly evidenced in one of the plethora of included photographs with the gun, which shows McQueen standing next to Von Dutch in his shop, who is holding the "Mare's Leg", both admiring their handiwork. The included documentation states that this specific gun was the one originally used in the “Trackdown” episode and the one that McQueen originally christened the “Mare’s Leg”. Included correspondence between the consignor and McQueen’s wife indicates that she is unsure if the guns were made by Von Dutch or by the Stembridge prop company, but given the other sources and the included photographs, the writer believes it to be the work of Von Dutch. In “The Life of Steve McQueen” by Jon Zimmerman, McQueen is quoted as saying “We took a Model 92 Winchester lever-action rifle and turned it into a belt gun by sawing off most of the barrel and fitting it with a special stock. This gave us the power and accuracy of a rifle with the mobility and easy handling of a revolver. And it looked fierce!" Along with this iconic firearm, a special holster rig was also created, that allowed the “Mare’s Leg” to be on full display at almost all times. This unique holster rig is included and is of an open design with a hanging hook and spring type clip. The producers of the show decided to fit the cartridge loops with .45-70 cartridges, which this belt has, because they believed they looked more powerful and intimidating on camera. The belt and holster are unmarked, and the belt is fitted with a large brass buckle with clipped corners. An article from American Rifleman claims that, being a method actor, McQueen actually took a “Mare’s Leg” to a shooting range and fired live ammunition through it, which may have been where its unique name came from. Being lightweight, with a short barrel, and no stock to brace against, it is claimed that McQueen stated the gun kicked like a mare’s leg. Even with the blanks that were initially used for filming, it is claimed that the muzzle blast from the shortened 9 inch barrel was so intense that it was decided to use quarter-load blanks thereafter. McQueen's performance as Randall, as well as the first brief appearance of the "Mare's Leg", was enough to catch the audience’s attention and make Richard Powell, the founder of Four Star Productions, green-light the spin off, despite his initial skepticism of McQueen, who didn't even know how to ride a horse. The only issue with this spin off was the timing, as the American television market in 1958 was already saturated with Westerns. Seven out of the top ten and twelve out of the top twenty performing shows that year were Westerns. This included iconic shows such as "Gunsmoke", "Have Gun Will Travel", "Wagon Train", "Maverick", and "The Rifleman". It seems that between McQueen’s commanding on screen presence and the unique firearm his character would be slinging, the producers felt they had the makings of a show that could hold its own amongst a crowded field. It is noted in “Steve McQueen: A Biography” by Marc Eliot that McQueen sought out the magnificent gun handler, quick-draw artist, and Hollywood icon Sammy Davis Jr. for pointers and lessons for his new role. The spin off show was titled “Wanted Dead or Alive”, with the first episode airing on 6 September 1958. Initially, the show was unpopular among critics including a review in Variety, which said that McQueen’s “Acting is ok.” As was typical of Hollywood at the time, two more “Mare’s Leg” guns were made as spares for use in filming. The two extras that were created both sported octagon barrels, setting them apart from this example. All three of the guns were initially fitted with a modified “D-loop” lever, which can be seen in some episodes of the show and some of the included photographs. However, all three were modified to the current tear-drop shaped lever shortly after the first season began airing. The work was done by Stembridge Gun Rentals, with an included 16 October 1958 dated Stembridge invoice noting all three guns by serial number (852678, 468096, and 130985) and “reshape lever ring”. It is also noted that all three received a wide hammer spur at that time, which is no longer fitted on this example, and a replacement loading gate is also noted for this gun specifically. Another invoice dated two days prior notes “#852678 issued to Steve McQueen 10/10/58”. It is noted that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms were not consulted prior to the airing of the show, and that the producers ended up having to pay an additional $1,100 in taxes and fees to make the guns compliant with the National Firearms Act of 1934. Included scans of the original registration documents for number 852678 and number 468096 are included with the gun. Of these three guns, the included documentation notes that only this example and serial number 468096 were found in May of 1970 when David Weisz had purchased MGM Studios props and costumes, some of which MGM had inherited from Four Star Productions, and planned to auction them off. At the time of this sale, Walter O’Connor and Doug Boyer were tasked with making all of the firearms ready for sale. It was O’Connor and Boyer who removed the original functional barrels from the two “Mare’s Legs” so they would no longer be classified as Class III firearms by the ATF. The two guns were buried at the bottom of a box of miscellaneous parts, which Boyer then purchased for $40. Boyer later replaced the barrels with solid stock so they could be reassembled, gave this example to Walter O’Connor in appreciation for helping him land the job, and later sold number 468096 to the Autry Museum of the American West, where it is believed to still reside. Included with the gun are letters from six of the eight previous owners, providing detailed documentation of the path this gun traveled so that it could be offered to the public now. The show was popular with audiences, and it slowly won over critics, reaching number 16 on the top rated television shows chart for the 1958-1959 season and then reaching number nine on the chart for the 1959-1960 season. For the 1960-1961 season, the show was moved from its Saturday night time slot to Wednesday night and viewer numbers declined, particularly as it was up against the popular show “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”. The final episode of the show aired on 29 March 1961, but its impact on Steve McQueen’s career and on American pop, western, and firearms culture were lasting. “Wanted Dead or Alive” launched Steve McQueen into a legendary acting career, becoming not only a Hollywood star, but also an antihero personified, “The King of Cool”, and a fashion and cultural icon. He went on to star in a multitude of iconic films including “The Great Escape”, “The Thomas Crowne Affair”, “Bullitt”, “Le Mans”, and “Papillion”. McQueen was the perfect storm for Hollywood stardom, finding appeal across a wide range of audiences, with women wanting to be with him and men wanting to be him. In many ways, he represented the “Man’s man” of the 1960s and 1970s, enjoying fast cars, classic motorcycles, fine clothes, precise watches, and desirable firearms, all things that have cemented him as a masculine icon to this day. The “Mare’s Leg” itself was also launched into similar stardom and cultural icon status. After its appearance in the hands of Josh Randall, the “Mare’s Leg” surged in popularity. Various companies, including Marx and Denix, produced toy versions of the unique firearm, and many companies continue to make prop/toy versions of it to this day. Fully functioning versions of it also became popular among anyone willing to pay the ATF fees associated with a short barreled rifle. Today, multiple companies continue to make “Mare’s Leg” firearms, most of which are manufactured as pistols, and thus avoid restrictions associated with the NFA. The gun itself appears to have to have started life as a standard Model 1892 rifle, with the included factory letter only indicating that the serial number was applied on 15 July 1918, before it was modified to its current, influential, and legendary configuration. The history of these modifications are discussed above. As it stands, the "Mare's Leg" carbine is fitted with a 9 inch "barrel", which is a professionally made replacement created from a solid steel rod, turned to have the proper taper, and the muzzle drilled for a short distance to make it look more real. Otherwise the barrel is completely blocked and non-functioning, allowing for the piece to not be restricted by NFA regulations (see above). The magazine tube and forearm have both been shortened to match the new barrel length, with a carbine type barrel band and an additional barrel band being employed. The left of the receiver has a brazed on saddle ring staple and saddle ring. The shape of the lever loop has been enlarged to a tear drop shape and the stock has been shortened to a grip length and fitted with a handmade brass "buttplate". The top of the receiver ring has the standard Winchester factory oval proof. The upper tang is marked with the three-line model and trademark information and the serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. Here at Rock Island Auction Company, we have had the pleasure of offering many iconic film and television firearms throughout the years. We have had the joy of handling Jimmy Stewart’s “One of One Thousand” from the film “Winchester ‘73”, Angelina Jolie’s Lara Croft pistols, Will Smith’s revolvers from “Wild Wild West”, various guns and items owned and used on screen by the legendary John Wayne, and Han Solo’s DL-44 blaster from Star Wars. This “Mare’s Leg”, carried on screen by “The King of Cool” is yet another Hollywood icon we are honored to offer to the public. Provenance: Four Star Productions; MGM Studios; The Doug Boyer Collection; The Walter O'Connor Collection; The Mike Kalman Collection; The Burt Klein Collection; The Mike Kalman Collection; The John Gangel Collection; The Jack Stovall Collection; The Greg Martin Collection; The Michael Del Castello Collection; The Jim Massaro Collection