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LOT 1206
U.S. Rinaldo A. Carr Inspected Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver -
Serial no. 137183, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1891, this revolver is one of the U.S. Colt Cavalry Model revolvers in the serial number range 131187-140361 that were inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Rinaldo
A. Carr. Carr’s sub-inspector “R.A.C.” mark is found on the frame,
barrel, cylinder, and bottom of the grip. Carr’s script letter cartouche is on the right side
of the grip. The left side of the grip has the correct date “1891” over “LEB” script letter
cartouche. The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address. A “K” Colt inspection
mark is stamped below the serial number on the trigger guard and back strap. “P” proof marks are stamped on the cylinder and barrel. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking followed by “U.S.” Matching full or partial serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. The included copy of the factory letter confirms the current configuration (barrel length and grip not listed), as well as shipment to the U.S. government inspector at the Colt plant on 20 January 1891 in a 200 gun shipment.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original blue finish and 30% of the vibrant original case colors with the balance having thinned mostly to a smooth grey patina and a small patch of light pitting on the left of the barrel at the muzzle. There is a non-factory drilled hole toward the heel of the butt, most likely for a lanyard ring. The grip is also fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches, and mostly well-defined cartouches. The are no safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanically functions.
Estimate: 7,500 - 10,000
LOT 1207
Documented U.S. Colt Artillery Model Single Action
Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 55898, 45 Long Colt
cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. These Colt “Artillery Model” Single Action
Army revolvers were brought back into service during the Spanish-American War, Filipino-American War,
and Moro Rebellion. Though nicknamed “Artillery Models”, they were actually issued to a variety of U.S. Army
units and particularly known to have been favored for use against the Moro warriors who were known to continue
fighting after being shot with the weaker .38 caliber Colt double action revolvers also in use. The revolver has mixed numbers and components typical of the Artillery variants. The David F. Clark inspected frame (“55898”) dates to 1880,
while the trigger guard and back strap (“136326”) date to 1891. The underside of the barrel is stamped twice with a “P” proof and is numbered “116741” and “5075” under the ejector housing. The cylinder is numbered “8379”. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent marking followed by “US.” The grip has very faint traces of a cartouche on the right side. The
included factory letter confirms the original shipment of the frame to the U.S. government inspector at the Colt plant on 28 April 1880, and has additional notes that it was returned to the factory for refurbishment and reassembly in Artillery configuration and reshipped on 29 January 1902.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the factory refinished blue and 30% of the case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered small patches of light pitting. The sanded, refinished grip is very good showing abrasion marks, moderate wear from years of service and some scattered minor dings. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: Richard Peters, USMC, Reserves Law Enforcement, a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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