Sitting Bull’s Rifle Up For Sale In Upcoming Auction

Cowan’s Auction will sell Larry Ness’ collection of frontier firearms. Sitting Bull’s rifle will also be up for auction. This auction features 244 lots. The majority of these are frontier-era rifles with Native American connections. Many of these guns were owned by Native Americans of the Dakota region during the frontier era. However, Sitting Bull’s rifle is the most well-known. He allegedly foresaw a victory over American forces three weeks before the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where Lt. Col. Custer died. Sitting Bull lived a fascinating life, even without this vision. However, it ended on December 15, 1890 in South Dakota. Fears that he might promote a Native uprising led to his arrest after he returned to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. He tried to flee the reservation police, but they shot him and killed him. The rifle was sold with documentation that suggests it was taken from Sitting Bull’s cabin on the day of Sitting Bull’s death. The rifle is a Winchester 1st Model 1876 lever action chambered for.45 75 with a 28 inch octagonal barrel. It’s expected that it will sell at Cowan’s auction for $40,000 to $60,000 If this is too expensive for you, there are many other Native American-related firearms that will be available for sale. Larry Ness was a South Dakota banker for nearly 50 years. Many of the other treasures he accumulated during this period will be featured in the June 8th auction.A sampling of some of the other items for sale from the Larry Ness collection.To learn more about the firearms listed in this auction or how to bid, please visit hindmanauctions.com.More Historical Firearms: