Kit Carson's flintlock pistol may see $25,000 in US sale

The flintlock pistol used by Kit Carson during the Mexican war will sell on August 12

A flintlock pistol used by the renowned frontiersman Kit Carson in the Mexican-American war will feature as top lot in a sale of his memorabilia in Santa Fe on August 12.

Carson's items can expect strong results after several successful auctions

The .54 calibre pistol, made by Simeon North of Connecticut, was the primary sidearm of the US army during the Black Hawk, Seminole and Mexican wars. It is expected to bring $15,000-25,000 at auction, boosted by its famous owner.

Kit Carson was a US general who served during the Mexican, civil and Indian wars. He began his career as a mountain man and trapper in the west, where he was hired by John C Freemont as a guide on his famed surveying expeditions. Carson soon achieved national fame when Freemont's accounts of the voyages reached the public. He went on to lead armies through one of America's busiest military periods and is immortalised in a series of action films and novels based on his life.

Also featuring at the auction is the sabre presented to Carson when he attained the rank of colonel, after joining the Union Army at the start of the American civil war. A simple piece with a wire wrapped handle, it is expected to bring $5,000-10,000.

Following this is his leather message pouch which was used by Carson in his famous coast-to-coast journey from California to deliver news of the Mexican war to the government in Washington DC. Perhaps the most important artefact in the collection, it will bring between $5,000 and $10,000.

Items from America's Wild West, especially guns used by its heroes, have seen superb results at auction recently. The Remington revolver used by Buffalo Bill sold in June with a 19.5% increase on estimate for $239,000, while the same sale saw Annie Oakley's 12-gauge Parker Brothers shotgun bring a 186.6% increase at $143,400.

Paul Fraser Collectibles has an authentic strand of hair from the Apache leader Geronimo currently on offer at a fantastic price. We also have the autograph of George Custer available - a rare keepsake from the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Recent and related articles

·  Lord Grenville's presentation sabre achieves 114.2% increase at Bonhams | 1 August 2012

·  Wilkinson turret revolver sells 36.1% above estimate at Bonhams | 26 July 2012

·  Posthumous 1915 Victoria Cross beats estimate by 11.1% at auction | 20 July 2012

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