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LOT 3110
Exceptional Documented U.S. Colt Single Action Artillery Revolver with Gold Seal Kopec Letter - Serial no. 6170, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is an exceptional example of a U.S. contract Colt Cavalry Model revolver that was manufactured in 1874,
and subsequently refurbished to “Artillery” configuration with 5 1/2 inch barrel and refurbished by Colt in 1901 for issue to U.S. forces in the Philippines. Additional information about this revolver’s military service comes from Kopec and Fenn’s “Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers” where the revolver is cited by
serial number as an “unserviceable Cavalry Revolver returned to Colt in 1895” (page 270). The revolver was
again returned to the Colt factory in 1901 for Artillery Model refurbishment. This revolver mostly certainly saw its share of military service!
Renowned Colt historian and author John Kopec recently examined this revolver and his gold seal letter of authenticity is included. In his letter Kopec noted that the revolver was a new listing in the survey and the Ainsworth inspected host revolver (no. 6170)
fell into lot 6 (nos. 5505-6516). Lot 6 revolvers were issued to the 1st, 2nd, and 7th Cavalries. Revolvers nos. 6067 and 6269 have Custer battle association. Kopec reiterates that the frame of this Artillery Model had been twice refurbished at the Colt factory. “The refurbishing occurred on November 16th 1895 and the second during 1901,” wrote Kopec. “This could
suggest that the revolver had completely avoided the Springfield Armory refurbishing period of 1898.”
The revolver in its current state was assembled at the Colt factory during the 1901 refurbishing. Kopec went on to identify each of the main components. The trigger guard
came from host revolver no. 82112, which was manufactured in 1882 and inspected by Capt. John E. Greer and sub-
inspected by David F. Clark. The back strap bears Greer and
Clark inspected 1883 manufactured host revolver serial number no. 93271. The barrel has the partial serial no. 0224 and has the early script style Colt Hartford barrel address (faint). The barrel originated from Cavalry Model no. 10224 manufactured in 1874 and sub-inspected by O.W. Ainsworth. Per National Archives records, revolvers no. 10215 and 10262 were issued to the 100th Meridian Expedition on July 17, 1878. Members of the 100th Meridian Expedition participated in the first U.S. Army Engineer survey of the American West. The cylinder bears two serial nos.: 047 and 115270. Host revolver no. 115270 was refurbished
on January 2, 1896. Kopec estimated that 85% of the 1896 refurbished Artillery Models were issued to Roosevelt’s legendary “Rough Riders” in 1898. The grip was fitted to the revolver during the 1901 refurbishment and is marked with the 1901 date over Capt. Odus C. Horney’s script letter cartouche on the left side, Rinaldo A. Carr’s script letter cartouche on the right side, and Carr’s “RAC” initials stamped on the bottom. As Kopec stated, “These grips appear today in perfect condition.”
The barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap have the Colt commercial blue finish used on revolvers refurbished in 1900-1903. The frame, loading gate and hammer are color casehardened and the one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The barrel and ejector housing are the first style with barrel boss. The ejector rod head is the early ‘bullseye’ pattern. The hammer has the shorter ‘civilian’ knurling on the spur. The partial serial number on the underside of the barrel is no longer legible. The frame is serial numbered “6170”, the trigger guard “82112”, the back strap “93/217” and the cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number “017” above “115270”. The combination of serial numbers on the cylinder indicates that the revolver was altered to Artillery configuration during or prior to the Spanish- American War and subsequently sent to Colt for refurbishment in 1900-1903. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the first style script address: “+ COLT”S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A. +” with slanted crosses at either end. A “P” proof mark and small “A” sub-inspection mark are stamped on the underside of
the barrel. The left side of the
frame is roll-stamped with the
Colt two-date/two-line patent
marking followed by the “U.S.”
property mark. The assembly
number, “328” is stamped on
the loading gate. A “C” Colt
inspection mark is stamped in
the hammer well above the firing pin hole. In addition to the serial numbers, the side of the cylinder is stamped with a “P” proof mark and a “D.F.C.” sub-inspection mark. The rear face of the cylinder is stamped with three Colt inspection marks, “S”, “K” and “O”. A small “G” is stamped on the back strap below the serial number. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the date “1901” above the Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of the script initials “OCH” (Lt. Odus C. Horney) enclosed in a rectangle with rounded ends. The script initials of the Ordnance Sub-Inspector Rinaldo A. Carr (RAC) enclosed in a rectangle are stamped on the lower right side of the grip. “R.A.C.” is stamped in small letters on the lower right grip heel.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 95% of the Colt factory refurbished blue. Wear is limited to some minor finish loss on the muzzle, the edges of the ejector housing and the edges of the cylinder with several very minor scratches on the top of the barrel. 70% of the casehardened finish is present on the frame; the case colors on the hammer and loading
gate have silvered slightly. There are several minor spots of
age discoloration on the top strap. The grip is excellent with extremely crisp date, final inspection and sub-inspection marks and nearly all of the oil finish. The barrel and frame markings are clear. Mechanically excellent. This is an extremely fine example of a U.S. Colt Single Action Artillery Model revolver.
Provenance: The TTT Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN CAVALRY & ARTILLERY REVOLVERS, A CONTINUING STUDY BY KOPEC & FENN