This revolver is not serial numbered and is chambered for caliber .38 rimfire ammunition. It is a single action with a spur trigger and a pull-pin cylinder. It is nickel finished with a 2.5″ round barrel having a fair bore. The metal retains about 50% of the nickel and the checkered hard rubber grips rate fine. The mechanism functions well. The backstrap is period engraved in script “Gertrude Oliver.”
Four photocopied pages from a pamphlet on “Albuquerque’s Redlight Districts” informs us that in 1885 Gertie Oliver ran a ‘Wine Room’ with five girls ranging in age from 22 to 32 years old. She apparently was not very successful running her own business and joined the largest bordello in Albuquerque, “a six girl house with three cooks and two servants run by Maggie Morris.”
Also in this lot are three small fixed blade knives of the type favored by prostitutes for self-protection. The first knife is of the period and it has an ivory handle with the scratched initials “G. O.” (Gertie Oliver). The 5″ clip print blade is maker marked “ALEX ‘R B. FOULIS / EDINBURGH.” The blade has been sharpened and it has a smooth gray patina, the handle has several fine cracks and is in stable condition. It comes with a leather sheath attached to a woman’s garter. The second knife is a mother-of-pearl handled dirk with a 4.25″ double edged blade. This is unmarked and in excellent condition with a bright blade. The third knife has a mother-of-pearl handle with a 4″ double edge blade. This is marked “UNION CUT CO. / OLEAN N.Y./ U.S.A.” and is a “KA-BAR” brand dating to the 20th century. It is in excellent condition. All four items are in a walnut finished display case with a cracked glass top and wear to synthetic lining. This is an antique revolver and transfers with no federal restrictions. RR Auction COA.
