Few collecting niches capture America's pioneer spirit like the arms, artifacts, and artwork of the Wild West. The period spanning the late 19th century to the early 20th century was an age defined by cowboys, lawmen, desperados, Native Americans, and settlers looking to find their fortune on the frontier, and Western items from the era offer a glimpse into the legends they left behind.

Documented archive of Wild West showman "Uncle Kit Carson" including his Winchester Model 1873, Colt Single Action Army, buckskin outfit, decorated trunk, and accessories.

The demand for vintage Western antiques and memorabilia has been on the rise in recent years, and collectors, investors, historians, and Old West enthusiasts can find an impressive selection of period firearms, blades, badges, holsters, cowboy pictures and prints, and other desirable Western items at Rock Island Auction Company.

A historic "The Continental" double barrel hammer shotgun with a gold inlaid "J R PLATT TEXAS RANGERS" inscription, one of the fantastic Wild West artifacts for sale.

Legendary Wild West Guns

Frontier-era firearms are among the most desirable pieces in vintage Western memorabilia, with guns owned by Wild West legends representing the pinnacle of the pursuit. Sheriff Patrick Floyd Jarvis Garrett gained fame for tracking down and ultimately killing Billy the Kid. The gold-plated Colt Model 1877 Thunderer featured below was presented to Pat Garret after he was appointed United States Collector of Customs by President Theodore Roosevelt. A historic, solid gold Sheriff's badge that was presented to Pat Garrett by Billy the Kid's lawyer is also available this August.

For lovers of Wild West artifacts and Western collectibles, it doesn't get much better than a documented Pat Garrett gun.

Buffalo Bill Cody is a name well-known to Western collectible enthusiasts and anyone else familiar with the myths and lore of the American frontier. The Union scout, Pony Express rider, Civil War soldier, Indian fighter, and buffalo hunter became one of the great legends of the era, and factory-documented Buffalo Bill presentation firearms like the Winchester Model 1895 carbine below are some of the scarcest treasures in the Western antiques field.

One of the most important vintage Western items for sale this August, this historic Winchester Deluxe Model 1895 saddle ring carbine was presented by Buffalo Bill to Deadwood businessman and friend M.R. "Gold Nugget Mike/Deadwood Mike" Russell.

Wild West artifacts attributed as captured from the Little Bighorn stand among the rarest of the rare. Pictured below, the Ainsworth inspected U.S. Cavalry Colt Single Action Army originated from within Lot Five, one of the prime lots from which 7th Cavalry revolvers were drawn.

One of the most desirable vintage Western items for sale this August, the revolver is accompanied by a 1991 dated letter from Kenneth Leonard, a previous owner of the gun, and a John Kopec Gold Seal authentication letter. Leonard purchased the Colt from Jake Herman, a tribal council member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, a tribal historian, and a curator of the tribal museum at Pine Ridge. As told by Herman, "the gun was captured at the Little Big Horn and had been in his family since that time."

For fans of Western antiques and memorabilia, any items tied to the Battle of the Little Bighorn are going to turn heads. This Colt Single Action Army, inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth, is from Lot Five, the lot issued to the 7th Cavalry ahead of the fateful battle and is attributed as a battlefield capture.

Vintage Guns as Western Art

As the market for classic Western-themed artwork experiences an impressive uptrend, engraved firearms offer collectors a convergence of two popular fields. The Old West rifle was particularly suited to embellishment, with high-end examples exhibiting some of the most spectacular engravings from the period.

For lovers of Western antiques and cowboy collectibles, engraved Winchesters evoke the romance and spirit of the Wild West.

The exceptional artistry of master engravers like L.D. Nimschke, Gustave Young, Cuno Helfricht, and the Ulrich brothers hold particular appeal for collectors of rare Western antiques and Wild West artifacts. The 1882 manufactured Winchester Model 1873 saddle ring carbine pictured below features an immensely rare combination of traits for the model, including a plated finish, panel scene engraving, and the signature of the legendary John Ulrich.

For lovers of vintage Western art and memorabilia, this documented John Ulrich signed and factory panel scene engraved, full nickel plated Winchester Model 1873 saddle ring carbine checks all the right boxes.

Old West revolvers are another frontier firearm platform that could serve as a canvas for artistry by way of both their frames and the carvings that sometimes appeared on the rare examples featuring ivory or pearl grips. The pair of First Generation Single Action Armies below combine Wild West styling with Texas cattle brand engraving pioneered by Cole Agee. The revolvers wear a set of pearl grips featuring jewel-eyed relief carved steer heads with gold horns and nose rings on the right grip panel, representing one of the finest examples of the firearm as vintage Western art.

A pair of Western collectible treasures, this brace of cattle brand engraved, gold and silver plated First Generation Colt SAA revolvers features relief steer head carved pearl grips and a book-style case.

From the 1880s to the early 1900s, luxury jewelry and specialty retailer Tiffany & Co. created spectacular embellished handguns and rifles for America’s leading firearms manufacturers. One of the most desirable classes of high art Western antiques, Tiffany embellished 19th-century arms are exceptional collectibles that are rarely offered for public sale, with the largest collections in the hands of private institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A rare Tiffany shipped, deluxe and embellished Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless 1st Model DA revolver (left) and a documented W. & S. Butcher Sheffield Bowie knife with an intricately carved and engraved metal grip (right), two of the finest vintage Western items for sale this August.

Vintage Western Knives

In the field of vintage Western collectibles, authentic Bowie knives are extraordinarily valuable. To the American hunter, settler, and gambler of the mid-19th century, the Bowie knife offered a versatile weapon for survival and close-quarters fighting. Bowie knives often saw hard use on the frontier, and surviving examples offer a glimpse into the lives of those who shaped the untamed lands of the American West.

Exceptional examples of the Bowie knife, like this early Samuel C. Wragg Sheffield coffin hilt Bowie, are highly valued by collectors of Western antiques and memorabilia.

The push dagger, also known as the gimlet knife, was a compact weapon that could be deployed in a close-in fight with speed and power. These Wild West artifacts are closely associated with the California Gold Rush, like the example below manufactured by Will & Finck of San Francisco. The company produced a wide variety of knives and gambling equipment to supply the influx of settlers and prospectors looking to find fortune in the Golden State.

A Will & Finck, San Francisco marked push dagger with scabbard, one of the vintage Western items associated with the California Gold Rush era.

Wild West Holsters

Old West holsters are one of the rarest classes of vintage Western antiques and memorabilia, particularly the surviving examples produced during the golden age of the American cowboy. The holster below was manufactured by Samuel B. Severs of Muskogee, Indian Territory, who operated during the 1880s and 1890s. Configured in the classic Mexican loop style with dual retention loops, this is the only known matching holster and belt set by S.B. Severs.

A true cowboy collectible, this historic S.B. Severs tooled leather Mexican loop Colt SAA revolver holster (right) includes a matching Severs cartridge/money belt. The revolver (left) is a U.S. nickel Colt Cavalary SAA.

Established in 1879, Moran Bros. was one of the first saddlery and gun leather firms founded in Miles City, Montana Territory, the "Cow Capital of the West." The Moran brothers operated a two-man shop until 1895, when they sold their business to Charles E. Coggshall, founder of the famous Miles City Saddlery. Due to their limited production capacity and short time of operation, Moran Bros. holsters are one of the most prized Wild West artifacts.

An exceptional Moran Bros. Miles City, Montana Territory, tooled "Mexican Loop" Colt SAA holster with a matching Moran Bros. cartridge/money belt (right) and a nickel plated First Generation Colt Frontier Six Shooter revolver with relief carved buffalo head pearl grips (left), two of the finest vintage Western items for sale.

The second Moran Bros. holster for sale this August was pictured and described on page 116 of 'Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West' by Richard Rattenbury. An authentic cowboy collectible, the holster is fitted to accommodate a Colt SAA Cavalry Model revolver and a row of .44 or .45 caliber bullets in its cartridge loops.

Two vintage Western collectible icons from the frontier era. A documented Moran Bros. tooled "Mexican loop" Colt SAA holster with a matching Moran Bros. cartridge/money belt (left) and an engraved silver and gold Colt SAA with relief Mexican Eagle pearl grips (right).

Vintage Western Badges

No collection of Western antiques is complete without an authentic Old West badge. As settlers moved westward during the 19th century, sheriffs, marshals, and deputies were recruited to bring order to the frontier. The lawman's badge evolved from simple pieces cut from coins, tin, or scrap metal to more formalized and ornate symbols of authority, such as the iconic five-pointed star found in the badge included with the revolver below.

The revolver and badge of a sheriff, two Wild West artifacts from the Lone Star State. The engraved Colt SAA with pearl grips is inscribed "T.C. Nunn" and "Bryan Tex." and the accompanying silver badge is marked "SHERIFF/BRAZOS COUNTY" with "TEXAS" marked on the points of the central star.

James F. Fagan was presented with the diamond-studded badge pictured below soon after his appointment by President Ulysses S. Grant as the U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas in 1875. "Hanging Judge" Isaac C. Parker tasked Fagan with hiring 200 Deputy U.S. Marshals to restore order in neighboring Indian Territory. Fagan deputized the legendary Bass Reeves shortly after receiving this badge, making this truly extraordinary piece of vintage Western memorabilia all the more notable.

One of the most historic Western antiques for sale this August, this presentation, 1875 dated, diamond-studded 14K gold U.S. Marshals badge is inscribed "PRESENTED BY/WIFE AND FRIENDS TO/JIM FAGAN/FT. SMITH ARK./1875." The badge comes in a period velvet-lined presentation case.

Pat Garrett's badge ranks near the top on any list of legendary Western antiques. The solid gold badge, presented to Sheriff Garrett after he shot and killed Billy the Kid, is prominently inscribed with "LINCOLN" and "COUNTY" in banners at the top and bottom, with "SHERIFF" at the center in raised white gold. The back of the badge is inscribed "To/Pat Garrett/with the best/Regards of/A.J. Fountain/1881."

The Lincoln County Sheriff's badge presented to Sheriff Pat Garrett by Albert J. Fountain in 1881, one of the most iconic Wild West artifacts in the genre. Includes a black leather bound case with red and white satin lining.

Like most frontier lawmen, Garrett's career was varied and his travels numerous. August's auction includes multiple lots containing documents signed by Sheriff Garrett as well as other photos and documents from his life, including a framed warrant and subpoena, a letter to his wife, and other documents and Western items linked to the fabled lawman. The lot pictured below includes Pat Garrett's wallet, his life insurance documents, and a telegram to his wife concerning his appointment by President Theodore Roosevelt as a United States Collector of Customs.

Numerous pieces of Western memorabilia related to Pat Garrett were offered by RIAC in August of 2024, including the lawman's wallet and personal documents.

Western Photography, Prints, and Bullet Boards

Frontier photos are another important Western collectible genre, with L.A. Huffman capturing some of the most iconic images of Montana Territory. Laton Alton Huffman employed a combination of hand-tinting and hand-sketched texture in some of his prints, giving the portraits and landscapes a unique and slightly ethereal appearance.

"B Evening at the Roundup", one of the most famous old cowboy pictures from L.A. Huffman.

Huffman’s pictures featured cowboys, ranchers, wild horses, and daily life out on the range, providing an authentic glimpse into the last two decades of the American frontier. L.A. Huffman prints represent one of the most sought-after classes of vintage Western memorabilia, particularly pieces from the photographer's early career.

Another one of Huffman's iconic old cowboy pictures, "The Mill Iron Rawhide" shows early Montana cattle ranching in its heyday.

Along with Western photography, advertising prints helped shape the myth of the Wild West and the American cowboy. Artists of the late 19th century and early 20th century created a romantic vision of the era through Wild West Show posters, themed calendars, and prints for firearms companies like the Colt "Patches" advertisement below from iconic artist Frank E. Schoonover.

Two vintage Western items for frontier collectors. (Left) "Trailing Sheep," a colorized print from the L.A. Huffman. (Right) "A framed Colts Patent Firearms "Tex and His Horse, Patches" advertising print.

The bullet board or cartridge board, is another class of vintage Western memorabilia that has been gaining significant traction in recent years. A late 19th century advertising display, the bullet board typically features hundreds of cartridges, shells, and bullets and offers collectors a tactile piece of art. The example below also includes a central sporting print.

A Winchester Repeating Arms Co. "Double W" cartridge board, one of the most desirable examples of this unique Western antiques collecting class.

Vintage Western Memorabilia for Sale

Interest in America's frontier heritage is stronger than ever today in no small part thanks to popular podcasts, video games, and television programs like Taylor Sheridan's 'Yellowstone' universe. Vintage Western memorabilia allows collectors to own a tangible piece of that legacy, and the depth of the field is vast.

From sixshooters and lever guns to badges and bowie knives, Rock Island Auction Company offers some of the finest Western items in the field. Whether you're looking to own a holster, badge, or photograph from the era or a gun owned by one of the period's most legendary figures, RIAC's August 23 - 25 Premier Auction features one of the finest selections of Wild West artifacts around.

Documented serial number 1 Colt Burgess Model lever action saddle ring carbine, a monumental piece of firearms history.

Collectors from far and wide are invited to swing by our new venue at 3600 Harwood Rd., Bedford, Texas on Thursday, August 22nd, the day prior to auction, to examine these fantastic Western collectibles firsthand. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., preview day allows collectors the opportunity to inspect and handle any of the over 1,700 lots up for bid, rub elbows with fellow enthusiasts, and step into the boots of the explorers, lawmen, outlaws, and pioneers who rode the trails of yesteryear.

A special order, factory engraved and inscribed First Generation Colt SAA with a factory relief steer head carved grip and original box, one of the finest vintage Western guns for sale.

For fans of Western antiques and frontier firearms, subscribe to the Rock Island Auction newsletter for new gun blogs and gun videos covering the arms that helped win the West. From black powder Colts like the Walker, Dragoon, and Colt revolving rifle, competing wheel guns like the LeMat, Smith & Wesson, and Merwin Hulbert, lever gun icons like the Spencer carbine, the Marlin, and the Winchester family, and the various Civil War revolvers, surplus muzzleloaders, and breech loading rifles that settlers carried, we tackle the guns that made America.

Find the most desirable Western collectibles for sale at Rock Island Auction Company.