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LOT 3191
U.S. David F. Clark Sub- Inspected Colt Cavalry Model/New Jersey Militia Single Action Army Revolver with New Jersey Marked
Holster - Serial no. 113527, 45 Long Colt
cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This
U.S. contract Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army was manufactured in 1884 and was later
issued to the State of New Jersey militia. Per Kopec and Fenn’s “Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study,”
the New Jersey Militia received two lots of Cavalry Model revolvers. The first lot was for 30 revolvers and the second lot
was for 100 revolvers. Based on serial number research presented in the aforementioned book, it is likely that this revolver was
in the second lot (page 141). The New Jersey Militia revolver are identified by the “N.J” marking on the barrel as seen on this example. The barrel also has the
one-line Hartford address on top. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking followed by “US.” The U.S. Ordnance Sub-Inspector during the
entire 1880s period was David F. Clark, and his initials “D.F.C.” are found on the underside of the frame, underside of the barrel, side of the cylinder, and bottom of grip.
A small U.S. Ordnance “P” is stamped on the underside of the barrel and side of the cylinder. The left side of the grip has the date “1884” above Frank Heath’s script letter cartouche, and the right side of the grip has Clark’s script letter cartouche. Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. Includes a U.S. leather flap holster with New Jersey militia “N.J” marking on the body of the holster under the flap.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 30% original blue finish, the cylinder retains 30% original blue finish mostly in the flutes, and the grip straps retain 20% original blue finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance. 20% of the original case colors remain mostly on the forward frame and hammer. The grip is fine with high edge wear, initials lightly hand marked on the right side towards the top, and some minor handling marks. Clark’s cartouche is faint but legible, and Heath’s cartouche is clear. The holster is very good. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3192
Documented U.S. Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army with Holster Attributed to U.S. Marshal Reuben A. Jager
with Keith Cochran Letter - Serial no. 18954, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The revolver is identified in the included documentation from noted Colt research and
author Keith Cochran in 1992 as a desirable Type III Artillery Model. He
notes the revolver’s provenance attributes it to U.S. Marshal Reuben A. Jager who
was active from 1887 to 1907 and would have likely carried the revolver sometime in the 1903-
1907 time-frame given the revolver was made into an Artillery Model c. 1895-1903. The revolver was originally
sub-inspected by A.P. Casey c. 1875 and has his “C” marking on the bottom of the barrel at the breech, edge of the
cylinder, back strap behind the hammer, on the front strap below the serial number, and on the right side of the grip at the
butt. The “C” noted by Cochran on the bottom of the barrel under the ejector housing near the screw and the breech end of the cylinder between two chambers and is attributed by him to be Colt subs-contractor Edward Collins or Valentine Cooper. There is also
another “C” over the firing pin hole. Cochran also notes that original grips are very rare on Colt Artillery Models and that this is the earliest he knew of at the time with the next closest an example from 1876. The barrel has a rounded blade front sight, “P” on the bottom, and the one-line address
with breaks in the first “T” as well as the “o” in “Co.” and the “A” in Hartford noted by Cochran as correct for this serial number range. He also notes
that the eleven line knurling on the hammer spur is also correct and the cylinder pin was replaced when the revolver was converted to an Artillery
Model (most likely by Springfield Armory) and that the trigger guard bow “is of the scarce heavy type” illustrated on page 400 of his book “Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia Volume I.” The cylinder also has the small “P” at the edge. The “black powder” frame has the two-line patent marking and “U.S.” on the left side and assembly number “1274” on the loading gate, and matching serial numbers are
visible on the cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The revolver is accompanied by a black leather Model 1881 Flagler holster with a Rock Island Arsenal marking on the flap and “US” in an oval on the body. It was shortened for use with an Artillery Model and has a plugged toe. Included notes state that no record was available from the Colt Historical Society nor the Springfield Armory but the subsequent serial number, 18955, was issued to Company L of the 7th Cavalry in 1883. The notes also state that it was issued to Reuben A. Jager, a U.S. Marshal in the Arizona
Territory in 1887, retired in 1907, and died in 1927.
CONDITION: Very fine as arsenal refurbished with 85% plus blue finish on the barrel, 70% blue finish on the cylinder, 20% blue finish on the grip straps, 60% case colors on the frame and hammer, some patches of mild pitting, heavier pitting at the muzzle, and generally fairly minor overall wear. The lightly re-varnished grip is fine and has mild lower edge wear, including small flakes at the toe. The markings remain distinct throughout, and the revolver is mechanically excellent. The holster is very good and has crackling and mild flaking. This is a very attractive example of the Artillery Model variant of the famous Colt Peacemaker with matching numbers, attribution to a U.S. Marshal in the Southwest, and rare original Model 1881 holster.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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