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LOT 114
Fine, Documented John T. Cleveland Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry/
New York Militia Model Single Action Army Revolver with Kopec and Factory Letters as Pictured in Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers - Serial no.
34541, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1877, this is a very fine example of a U.S. Colt Cavalry Model revolver which was refurbished in 1895 and reissued to the New
York state militia. It is pictured and identified in Kopec and Fenn’s “Cavalry
& Artillery Revolvers” on page 128. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration, barrel length not listed as is typical, as well as
AS PICTURED AND
DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK COLT'S CAVALRY & ARTILLERY REVOVLERS BY KOPEC & FENN
shipment to the U.S. government inspector on 13 February 1877 in a 200 gun
shipment. It goes on to state that this revolver was returned to the factory for refurbishing and subsequently reshipped on 4 October 1895. The included letter from noted Colt historian and author
John Kopec states that no records for this revolver could be located in the National Archives, however, its serial number falls between two other revolvers (34491 and 34524) which were both listed in the 14 March 1888 inventories of Troop L, 7th Cavalry, indicating the possibility that this revolver was also issued to the regiment at some point prior to 1893. The
letter goes on to state that the revolver was recalled to the arsenal and held in storage there for two years before
being sent in a group of 800 revolvers for refurbishment at the Colt factory. Unlike many Cavalry revolvers that were
modified to Artillery configuration, these revolvers remained in the cavalry configuration and were reassemble with
their matching serial numbered parts. In addition to this, those which previously had cylinders and barrels with only
the last four digits of the serial number stamped on them, had all of the absent digits added, like this example shows.
These revolvers were then issued to various New York state militia units in 1895 and 1896, with this revolver believed
to have been issued to the 1st Battery of the New York militia due to the markings on the right of the grip. Records
indicate the 1st Battery was issued 85 revolvers in 1896. The barrel and left of the frame on this revolver have standard markings including “U.S.”
Matching serial numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard, barrel, cylinder, and back strap, with the loading gate having the assembly number
“6013”. Rinaldo A. Carr’s inspection mark “R.A.C.” is on the bottom of the frame and bottom of the grip. John T. Cleveland’s “J.T.C.” inspection mark is on the barrel under the ejector, which Kopec notes was likely a mistake by the inspector. Kopec goes on to note that the revolver appears to all be correct in every aspect as refurbished in 1895 and that the back strap serial number was re-stamped at that time in the style of numerals current at the time. It has standard features and is fitted with a one piece walnut grip with “R.A.C.” inspection mark on the butt and “1st N.Y./92” on the right side. This specific Cavalry Model was featured in the “Colt: Legacy of a Legend” exhibit at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in 2003 which was billed by the Colt Collectors Association as the “Most historically significant Colt display in 100 years.”
CONDITION: Fine as Colt factory refurbished in 1895, retains 60% of the blue finish and 50% of the case colors, most vibrant in sheltered areas, with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered light spotting along the barrel. The grip is also fine with some minor handling marks scattered throughout and crisp New York militia markings. Mechanically excellent. A fine, well documented U.S. Colt Cavalry/New York Militia Model revolver!
Provenance: The Dick Burdick Collection; “Colt: Legacy of a Legend” exhibit at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in 2003; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000
LOT 115
Fine Documented Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 59100, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. The Colt Single Action Army was one of the most popular handguns in late 19th
century and is easily the most iconic and most thoroughly associated with the American West. Offered here is a fine, early example of the legendary Peacemaker
in .45 LC. In the words of Colt author and expert David Brown, “The Colt Single Action Army .45 was ‘the soldier’s friend’ throughout the remaining years of the
Indian Wars in the West. Adopted also with equal enthusiasm by civilians, it was the pet and the ‘good right arm’ of lawman and outlaw alike on every American
frontier of its era” (“The 36 Calibers of the Colt Single Action Army,” p. 70). The top of the barrel has the single-line address and there is no marking on the left. The left
side of the frame is marked with the three-line patent dates, and the caliber marking is on the left of the trigger guard (“45 CAL”). The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The matching partial serial number “100” appears on the barrel. The cylinder is unnumbered. The assembly number “1381”
is on the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame top groove rear sight, and a smooth walnut one-piece grip. The accompanying factory letter confirms the blue finish and .45 caliber chamber (barrel length and stocks not listed, a common notation for 7 1/2 inches and walnut, respectively) as well as shipment to Hartley & Graham of New York City on October 11, 1880. This shipment was for 100 guns.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 70% bright original high polish blue finish with proper “feathered” polishing marks visible on both sides of the front sight. The ejector rod retains 40% original blue finish. Cylinder retains 40% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The grip straps retain 60% original blue finish. The back strap has a spot of finish loss visible near the top. The frame retains mostly silvered out “shadows” of original case colors in the protected areas. The hammer retains 80% original case colors. The grip is very fine with some minor dings and scratches and much of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of the legendary Colt Peacemaker in .45 LC!
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
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