Gun used in assassination attempt on Alabama Governor George Wallace who tried to prevent 1960s desegregation goes up for auction

  • Gun’s serial number was checked with the police records and it was confirmed to be the same weapon used in the attempted killing of Wallace
  • Wallace was running for president at the time of the shooting in 1972
  • Arthur Bremer shot Wallace during a campaign stop for the Democratic nomination for president in Maryland, which Wallace later lost to George McGovern
  • Wallace remained paralyzed from the waist down and it led to the jailing of Bremer, who was released in 2007, after serving 35 years
  • Wallace was known for his Southern populist and segregationist attitudes during the African-American civil rights movement
  • He eventually renounced segregationism

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

An Illinois auction house says it is selling the revolver that almost killed former Alabama Governor George Wallace.

Rock Island Auction Company specializes in rare firearms. It listed the revolver for sale on Friday.

Company vice president Judy Voss says it's the same gun used to shoot Wallace during a 1972 assassination attempt. 

Voss says the serial number on the gun matches that listed on police reports. Voss says a date etched in to the gun also matches law enforcement records.

Governor George Wallace blocks the entrance to the University of Alabama as he turned back a federal officer attempting to enroll two black students at the university campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1963

Governor George Wallace blocks the entrance to the University of Alabama as he turned back a federal officer attempting to enroll two black students at the university campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1963

The gun that almost killed former Alabama Gov. George Wallace in an assassination attempt in 1972, is being sold by an Illinois auction house

The gun that almost killed former Alabama Gov. George Wallace in an assassination attempt in 1972, is being sold by an Illinois auction house

In this June 11, 1963 photo, Vivian Malone and James Hood stand in the doorway of Foster Auditorium where they hold what they called their 'first and final news conference' after the two African-American students registered at the University of Alabama

In this June 11, 1963 photo, Vivian Malone and James Hood stand in the doorway of Foster Auditorium where they hold what they called their 'first and final news conference' after the two African-American students registered at the University of Alabama

Arthur Bremer shot Wallace during a Maryland stop as the governor campaigned for president. It left Wallace paralyzed from the waist down.

The auction company gave a presale estimated value of between $15,000 and $30,000. Voss did not say who was selling the gun.

Nine years before his assassination, one of the most iconic moments in the history of America's civil rights movement took place with the infamous 'stand in the schoolhouse door'.

It was on June 11, 1963, when then governor George Wallace tried to stop two black students from registering for classes at the University of Alabama.

Governor George Wallace, right, attempted to prevent James Hood and Vivian Malone from registering for classes at the university in 1963

Governor George Wallace, right, attempted to prevent James Hood and Vivian Malone from registering for classes at the university in 1963

President John F Kennedy, who ordered Wallace to stand aside, delivers a speech at a rally in Fort Worth, Texas, several hours before his assassination in 1963

President John F Kennedy, who ordered Wallace to stand aside, delivers a speech at a rally in Fort Worth, Texas, several hours before his assassination in 1963

Alabama Governor George C. Wallace and his wife Cornelia. The Governor was paralyzed from the waist down by one one of four gunshot wounds he suffered while campaigning at a shopping center in Maryland

Alabama Governor George C. Wallace and his wife Cornelia. The Governor was paralyzed from the waist down by one one of four gunshot wounds he suffered while campaigning at a shopping center in Maryland

He stood in the door at the university's Foster Auditorium and, in defiance of federal law, refused Vivian Malone and James Hood entry.

When federal marshals intervened, he stood firm and delivered an impassioned speech against desegregation. 

Wallace eventually relented when a U.S. general acting under orders issued by President John F Kennedy demanded he make way. Malone and Hood then entered.

The incident brought Wallace into the national spotlight and led to the desegregation of the university as Malone and Hood made history by becoming the first black students to enroll.

James Hood pictured going to class and outside his dormitory at the University of Alabama in 1963

Historic site: The Foster Auditorium on the campus of the University of Alabama

Historic site: The Foster Auditorium on the campus of the University of Alabama

Wallace, shown here at the age of 67 in 1987 served four terms as Governor. The wheelchair bound Wallace who ran for president four times and stood in the schoolhouse door to block integration said he was concerned with how history will treat him

Wallace, shown here at the age of 67 in 1987 served four terms as Governor. The wheelchair bound Wallace who ran for president four times and stood in the schoolhouse door to block integration said he was concerned with how history will treat him

Former four-term Alabama Governor George Wallace in an emotional moment in 1994 as he hugged friend Connie Harper at a celebration of Wallace's 75th birthday. Wallace's daughter, Peggy Wallace Kennedy, said her family has lived in the shadow of the schoolhouse door ever since

Former four-term Alabama Governor George Wallace in an emotional moment in 1994 as he hugged friend Connie Harper at a celebration of Wallace's 75th birthday. Wallace's daughter, Peggy Wallace Kennedy, said her family has lived in the shadow of the schoolhouse door ever since

GOVERNOR WALLACE: THE MAN WHO TRIED TO HOLD BACK HISTORY

George Wallace's symbolic attempt to stop black students enrolling followed his inaugural promise of 'segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever' and stop the desegregation of schools.

Eleven years earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Brown Vs Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, in which it was argued the education of black children separate from white children was unconstitutional.

The Brown case meant the University of Alabama had to be desegregated. But in the years that followed hundreds of African-Americans applied for admission, but all were denied. 

The university worked with police to find any disqualify them, or when this failed, intimidated the applicants.

But in 1963, three African-Americans with perfect qualifications - Vivian Malone Jones, Dave McGlathery and James Hood - applied, and refused to be intimidated. 

In early June a federal district judge ordered that they be admitted, and forbade Governor Wallace from interfering.

Then on June 11, Malone and Hood arrived to register, with Wallace attempting to uphold his promise. Federal marshals told Wallace to step aside but Wallace cut Katzenbach off and refused, giving a speech on States' rights.

It took General Henry Graham to command Wallace to step aside, saying: 'Sir, it is my sad duty to ask you to step aside under the orders of the President of the United States.'

Wallace, who survived an assassination attempt that left him in a wheelchair, died in 1998 having renounced segregationism. 

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