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address on top. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking followed by “U.S.” 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 the 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. The bottom of the grip is stamped with the number “8.” Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. Kopec and Fenn discussed the rarity of militia marked Cavalry Models as the following: “By far, the vast majority of the Militia-issued revolver were not recorded by their serial numbers, nor were they physically marked in any way by their respective state of issue. Although we have recorded as many as 11,547 Cavalry-length revolvers issued to the state Militias, only a few remain identifiable, either by National Archives records or by their physical markings. It is believed that many of today’s remaining U.S. Cavalry revolvers with their 7 1/2 inch barrels are, in fact, remnants of these Militia issues...The only traceable or identifiable state Militia issues are those from West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey, and possibly one officer’s private purchase from the State of Virginia” (page 141). This outstanding
New Jersey marked example is in truly remarkable condition and is well deserving of the finest collection. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was delivered to the U.S. Government Inspector located at the Colt plant on December 3, 1884. This shipment was for 100 guns. Recently noted Colt historian and author John Kopec examined this Cavalry Model. In his accompanying gold seal letter of authentication, Kopec was of the opinion “that this revolver may
possibly be the finest New Jersey Militia marked revolver in existence.” He noted, “The original 1884 applied military blue finish remains near perfect throughout.” The casehardening “remains in
outstanding condition.” Even the blue finish with the cylinder chambers remains, suggesting the revolver has spent its life nearly unfired. The cartouches on the grip “remain in perfect order and the year-date ‘1884’ outstanding.
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LOT 1155
Outstanding Documented Finest Known U.S. David F. Clark Sub- Inspected Colt Cavalry Model/New Jersey Militia Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter and John Kopec Gold Seal Letter - Serial no. 113278, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This incredible 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 (page 141). The New Jersey Militia revolvers are identified by the “N.J” marking on the barrel as seen on this example. The barrel also has the one-line Hartford