Bill Tilghman gun- OSA help

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SPDguns

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A buddy of mine has a gun purportedly to have been owned by Bill Tilghman. I looked at it yesterday and it looks like the real deal. Its a Colt SAA. He is waiting on a factory letter and he already has pretty good provenance.

A few years ago, on the old format forum, I put out a help request. I was doing research on an Oklahoma Territorial marshal's gun. A member here put me in contact with a guy in Alabama ( I think) who was a Colt SAA expert. I don't remember what member it was, I think his real life name was D. Alan. If any of this rings a bell, please PM me. I plan on letting the owner of the gun get in touch with the Colt expert.

Thanks guys!!
 

TerryMiller

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Can't help with the authenticity of the pistol, but Tilghman was one of the original "agents" of the OSBI.

Early 1920's - The discovery of oil led to prosperity and violence in many "boom towns" across Oklahoma. Robbery and hijacking were common, liquor joints operated openly in spite of prohibition, and gambling and prostitution went unchecked. The citizens of one town, in particular, Cromwell, appealed to Governor M.E. Trapp and former deputy marshal Bill Tilghman for help. They wrote: "I'm afraid the sheriff and county attorney will not back us up...we also have a few hijackers here, and we want to change their place of residence." Tilghman, at 72 years old, accepted the challenge.


Bill Tilghman

History of the OSBI

Click on the "1920's" to get that above tidbit. Also, note Tilghman's age when he joined the effort. Sorry, but I'm 73 and in no shape to go chasing bad guys.
 

TerryMiller

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I watched the movie “You Know My Name” with Sam Elliot as Tilghman just a couple weeks ago. Send me a pic of gun and I’ll watch the movie some more to verify authenticity.

But, did the movie use an authentic weapon? Or, did they just go with a six shooter that looks like a good six shooter? In other words, I wouldn't rely on a movie to "authenticate" anything.
 

SoonerP226

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Can't help with the authenticity of the pistol, but Tilghman was one of the original "agents" of the OSBI.
He was also one of the Three Guardsmen, along with Heck Thomas and Chris Madsen.
Also, note Tilghman's age when he joined the effort. Sorry, but I'm 73 and in no shape to go chasing bad guys.
They were made of sterner stuff back then...
 

elwoodtrix

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A buddy of mine has a gun purportedly to have been owned by Bill Tilghman. I looked at it yesterday and it looks like the real deal. Its a Colt SAA. He is waiting on a factory letter and he already has pretty good provenance.

A few years ago, on the old format forum, I put out a help request. I was doing research on an Oklahoma Territorial marshal's gun. A member here put me in contact with a guy in Alabama ( I think) who was a Colt SAA expert. I don't remember what member it was, I think his real life name was D. Alan. If any of this rings a bell, please PM me. I plan on letting the owner of the gun get in touch with the Colt expert.

Thanks guys!!

My Dad's FIL is Tom Burness, out of Auburn Ca. He knows a thing or 2 about Colt SAA's

https://www.antiquegunlist.com/profile/view/13
 

Gunbuffer

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I watched the movie “You Know My Name” with Sam Elliot as Tilghman just a couple weeks ago. Send me a pic of gun and I’ll watch the movie some more to verify authenticity.
Just don’t listen to the Beatles song of the same name. It’s probably their worst song.
 

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