here’s an undeniable relationship between the real West and the “reel” West that fascinates us, the staff, and you, the reader, of . We’re especially alert to any mistakes Hollywood makes in narrative, costuming, starring Tom Selleck as the title sharpshooting cowboy. Selleck donated this one (above) to the NRA as a fundraising item with a framed photo autographed to the raffle winner, who certainly made his money back. Featuring a 34-inch octagon barrel chambered for .45-110 and bearing the gold inlaid initials MQ on the receiver, the Sharps brought $105,750. Singer-actor Sammy Davis Jr. appeared on such classic Western TV series as and , showing off gun-handling skills he learned from quick-draw artist Arvo Ojala, who famously draws against Matt Dillon (James Arness) in the opening credits of . A Colt Single Action Army that Davis had Ojala modify and for which Arvo created a holster fetched $19,975 at the Rock Island auction. Even a tangential association with a Western star can boost a firearm’s value, as attested by a trio of custom-made Colt semiautomatic pistols ($82,250 for the set) that belonged to Selleck, and a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber M&P revolver ($11,750) and Griffin & Howe bolt action .30-06 rifle ($21,150) attributed to Gary Cooper.
