Handguns of note: the Night Hawk colt
Trusted and loyal friends of Buffalo Bill Cody, the three brothers Powell practiced medicine and sported colorful nicknames bestowed upon them by Indians they’d healed. For though they hailed from the flatlands of LaCrosse, Wisc., the brother’s Powell predominantly practiced their doctorcraft on Indian Reservations. And in doing so became famous, sort of.
White Beaver is what Dr. David Franklin Powell called himself. Dr. George Powell was called Night Hawk because of his penchant for springing awake in the middle of the night to care for the infirm. William Powell, a pharmacist and a general practitioner who specialized in treating women’s diseases, was known simply as Blue-Eyed Bill.
This photo of the brothers Powell alongside Buffalo Bill was taken many moons ago in Laneboro, Minn. But the pistol, one of the great single actions of all time, a gift from Buffalo Bill to Night Hawk assumedly for his service as a physician during Custer’s fateful campaigns — the pistol still remains. Engraved in the shiny pearl grip is the word NightHawk, circa 1876.
Once upon a time in the possession of the estate of Fanny Powell, daughter of Night Hawk, this old gun is now consigned as part of the largest private collection of Buffalo Bill memorabilia held in private hands. And come January 28 it should fetch between $150,000 to $200,000. If interested, contact Greg Martin Auctions at 1-800-509-1988. Otherwise we recommend ripping this page from the magazine and tacking it up alongside those calendar girls who mock you from above your workbench.