Recapturing the West exhibition

[turnerriver]

We just got back from seeing the exhibition "Recapturing the West" at the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, Fl. I've been a student of Western history all of my life & I have never seen such a display. The collection belongs to William Koch;he is responsible for the exhibition. Loosely divided into 4 groupings-Indians & the US Military, Lawmen & Badmen with a side of Bordello & Saloon history, Mining & Cowboys.I couldn't list any significant amount of what we saw but how about Colt SAA serial number 1, a cased set of a Colt Dragoon & a Walker revolver presented by Samuel Colt to Capt. Walker in 1847, the S&W Model 3 used by Robert Ford to shoot Jesse James,
Wyatt Earp's Sharps rifle & Model 3, a Winchester 1 of 100 M 1873 & a 1 of 1000 M 1876, 2 Hawken rifles, the entire series of Colt revolvers from Patterson to M 1889, a Bridgeport rig & Meanea, Frazier, Gallup & Collins gun leather & the finest collection of original Frederic Remington & Charles Russell paintings & sculptures you could imagine.Last year Koch bought the only authenticated ferrotype photograph of William Bonney for 2.3 Million-it was displayed in the exhibition. Sitting Bull's breast plate worn at the battle of Little Big Horn, a lock of George Custer's hair & his camp chair,a playing card signed by John Wesley Hardin-I could go on & on.The exhibit was originally scheduled to close tomorrow but has been extended to April 29. If there is any way to see it,please do-you'll be astounded.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[Dashriprock]

Nice! The Koch collection is off the charts -- I'll bet it is an incredible display.

 

[Texas Star]

I question that Sam Colt ever gave Sam Walker a Dragoon. He got a pair of Walker models, but they had barely reached him during the Mexican War when he was killed. I think that preceded production of the Dragoon, intended to correct some faults in the Walker Model.

If memory serves, Walker had gun number 1010 in his hand when he was speared by a Mexican lancer.

But the display sounds terrific. I wish that I could see it. Thanks for the post.

 

[turnerriver]

The caption on the photo in the hand-out catalog says "Colt Whitneyville Hartford Dragoon revolver & Colt Walker Model revolver presented to Captain Samuel H. Walker by Samuel Colt,1847". It wasn't clear to me whether that meant both were presented or just the Walker.I didn't even see the information when I looked at the set on display & didn't know exactly what I was looking at until I read through their catalog after returning home. Way outside of my area of half-baked knowledge let alone any full baked knowledge I might possess.Beautiful set though.
There was also a M 1900 FN auto in a shoulder holster reportedly owned by Tom Horn-the holster caught my eye- & one of Bat Masterson's Colt SAA revolvers. As I said, the list goes on & on & on.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[A10]

That sounds astounding! I have visited the Woolaroc museum, as well as the Cody museum and was amazed by both. Do you know if the display is on tour, or if there is a website?

 

[semperfi71]

Are all of the firearms and items mentioned here owned by one person, or entity.

If so that's quite a feat of collecting.

I'd love to see it.

 

[turnerriver]

Yes, the collection is owned by William Koch. He is one of three brothers;
the other 2 are very active in conservative causes. William is assembling an authentic Western town on his ranch in Colorado.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[ordnanceguy]

It is indeed an astounding collection. Just goes to show what a collector can accomplish if he has a billion dollars in his wallet. Here is a link to some photos of the exhibit. Unfortunately, it does not include one of the wall of Colts that are part of the exhibit but it does give you some of the flavor. Highly recommended.

Recapturing the West: The Collection of William I. Koch « Fine Art Notebook

 

[Dashriprock]

It now has a permanent home, in it's own dedicated Old West town.

This story boggles the mind. I guess this is what billions of dollars can do for a guy:

Billionaire's new Colorado town is a private Old West marvel - The Denver Post

 

[crazyphil]

John, is this William Koch the one who passed away a week or so ago?
David passed away too. I suppose he was one of the two brothers you
mentioned greatly involved in conservative politics.