Hi Gang was trawling the net and saw this thought folks would like a look. http://www.butterfields.com/areas/arms_highlights.html
:stunned:
Chance

Here's what the guys at Butterfield gave me for an answer. This is not convincing for they say nothing about the whereabouts of these items, of their stories and such. Where have they been stored?



Dear Sir,
Our sale wil include some 1100 lots of antique firearms, edged weapons, militaria and sporting guns. If you are inquiring about the John Wayne material, we have the following lots: 1) Mr. Wayne's personal Colt revolver with western rig used in numerous films including 'The Cowboys', 'Rooster Cogburn' and others. Estimate: $20,000-30,000. 2) Costume worn in numerous films including a leather vest, blue shirt from 'True Grit', custom-made boots with Bohlin spurs worn in many films, US Marshal badge from 'Rooster Cogburn'. Estimate: $50,000-75,000. 3) Pair of Winchester NRA Commemorative Rifles with gold presentation plaques. These were given to John Wayne by the Winchester Company and the National Rifle Association. Estimate: $20,000-30,000. 4) Cavalry sword and Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver used in the film 'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'. Estimate: $10,000-15,000. Please let me know if I can be of further service.
James Ferrell
Specialist, Arms & Armor
Bonhams & Butterfields
415-503-3332

So Roland what do you think are they the real thing? They look it. If there not there damned fine copies.
:stunned:

Couldn't tell and haven't been able to find out more. If they're the real stuff, the price estimate is certainly right. Clearly out of MY range :P , but I know of Wayne collectors who will do battle for those. When Michael Wayne was still alive, he used to take interest in those auctions.

Guys,

Frankly, I'm surprise that the John Wayne Estate doesn't have these items themselves. It seems they would be gathering them for a possible museum of the late great actor. But again, I don't always understand families and their relations.

Looks kinda expensive to me also, and definately out of my price range too. Too bad, I'd love to have the outfit for the picture that got him his academy award.

Cheers, Hondo B)

I had some more conversations about these upcoming, interesting pieces (although we're just torturing ourselves, aren't we??) and would like to let you in on this back and forth conversation.

Here's what my friend who really has great knowledge in all Wayne memorabilia and film originals in gerneral tells me:


Yes, I am familiar with the details of the oil deal.

Still never heard of him gifting his beloved rigs as he was asked by the Autry and the Cowboy Hall of Fame and he passed. They got the Katchina dolls and a collectible but not film used gun.

But there are ways to check; the costumes have to have the correct Western labels, the guns have serial numbers that can be traced and the rig should have the signature of the maker.

See if they respond to that.

So I did. Here's what the auction house tells me when I asked detail questions:

Dear Mr. Schaefli (thats me)
Certainly I can provide the provenance. In the early 1970s John Wayne founded a company with William Chambers called DECO, i.e. Duke Engineering Company. The thrust of the company was the development of a process which extracted oil from coal without emitting polutants. The project ran into technical difficulties which halted process and Mr. Gary Hess was brought in as an engineering troubleshooter. In short, he solved the problems and the project continued to a lucrative completion. In early 1978, the key people in the company gathered to celebrate and Mr. Wayne asked Mr. Hess what he would like as a reward. Mr. Hess asked if he could have this group of memorabilia from Mr. Wayne's career and the Duke gave it to him. It had all been on display at the offices of DECO and also at the John Wayne Theater at Knottsberry Farm, which was a theme park in southern California at the time. One interesting aspect of these items is that John Wayne generally only used his own guns and wore his own costumes during the making of his movies. I believe this started in the mid-1950s. The gun and holster rig were his own personal property and he used them in many movies during the 1960s until his death. The same is true for the leather vest and cowboy boots. I hope this is the information you are looking for. Let me know if I can be of further help.

And here's my friend's analyze to that:

Never heard of "Hollywood Costume Company"...

And the shirt with the designers name embroidered on it ???

All other TRUE GRIT and every item "Wayne" I have seen from 1952 on were all Western Costume made...

Will not argue with gun and sword numbers....that means they were his..but will argue with sources. There is still a need to check date of manufacturing of the gun via the number.

And every rig I have seen was signed by the maker as "made for.." by Arvo or Bianchi or Brown or Nudies...etc.

They are usually numbered and others have surfaced with BATJAK marks, although I am not sure they are right.

My feeling is that Wayne did gift these items...........their film use and source is still in question.

And at these values they need to be bullet proof in their provenance and authenticity.

My good friend will forgive my making his answers to me public but I would love to hear your opinions (what do you think, Chuckie, right now up in Holland, you have a great deal of knowledge in those Wayne originals, too)

:headbonk: Well itdo,
Your friend seem's to have found a few hole's in the facts that are these item's all from JW!!! Well from the inquire's i've made, some yes and some seem to be maybe...The blue shirt, bohlin spurs, where in the film True Grit but acorrding to the gentelman Mr. Ferrel at Bonhams&Butterfields,,, after alot of questioning on my part these items might not of actually of been JW's... Yes they where in the film but his ?????????
Also the calvary sword, from the film yes but as you all recall there where alot of swords in the film...Is this one really JW's or not.. When i ask for a copy of the authenticity report from the auction house, His answer......We are going by fact's given to us by the owners... Uhmmm
I also talked to a freind of mine's father use to be a prop master and he say's Yes there was a Hollywood Coustume and Jewerly Co, was on north hollywood Blvd.. But is no longer there... And also some costums and prop's are made for each film and markings on them might not be there!!! So seem's we all have to be careful with what we try to buy...I know cause i've went to see thing's and when you get there it's not what you expected...
So the best thing i guess would be to go see for ourselves...If i have the time around december maybe i go to the auction...
chucki chezze

Well, as we gather more and more info this auction looks less and less interesting. Here's my friend's final conclusion:


I have checked my Producer's Guides going back to 1936 for Hollywood Costume Co. These books have the Vendor's lists, by category and they are not listed.

As you well know, Western Costume has made 99.9% of Wayne's film used wardrobe. The only exceptions EVER seen out of dozens I have handled are the Macintosh pieces from "Pittsburgh" and "Big Jim MCClain."

He hired Luster Bayless from Western in 1960 and he stayed with him the rest of his life. Luster's name is in nearly every Wayne film's credits to the end.

He bought and gave to Luster AMERICAN COSTUME CO. which he has to this day.

I have bought a number of pieces myself from them..

TRUE GRIT is a Hal Wallis production as is the sequel produced by Paramount, Wallis home since the mid 40's when he kissed Warners off.

All other pieces from TG and ROOSTER that have been sold came from Western Costume in the sale they had of their best Star Wardrobe in October of 1993.

Even Hepburn's complete "marm" costume was sold that day. Planet Hollywood bought nearly all of them and I inventoried them there last summer. They will not part with any of them as you know.


I agree about the sword; the gun has to be checked with Colt.

The costume is dubious, as labeled, at best...

SAW THIS WORTH A LOOK
http://www.heritagegalleries.com/common/au...h=1&num=0&ln=50 (http://www.heritagegalleries.com/common/auction/pricesrealized.php?hdnSearch=true&src=&cboSaleNo=&col=&ord=&txtSearch=JOHN+WAYNE&cboDenomination=&optGlobalSearch=1&num=0&ln=50)

Hi

It certainly is

Regards

Arthur