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LOT 3138
Exceptional Rinaldo A. Carr Sub-Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with Kopec Letter - Serial no. 132215, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. This Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver was manufactured in 1890 under the 12th Ordnance contract. 1890 was the next-to-last year of production for U.S. contract Single Action revolvers. The revolver was inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Rinaldo A. Carr (R.A.C.) and Captain Stanhope E. Blunt (SEB). It has the Colt military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and
visible serial numbers match. The assembly number, “848”, is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the date “1890” above the script initials “SEB” enclosed in a rectangle with rounded edges. The script sub-inspection mark, which consists of the script initials “RAC” in a rectangle is stamped on the lower right side of the grip. With a John A. Kopec letter dated March 1st, 1999 stating it was a new listing and that it was probably issued to the 8th Cavalry. There are a few minor deviations from originality, the trigger
is a replacement, the mainspring has been ground for a better trigger pull and the grip strap has been drilled for a grip pin.
back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer have a color casehardened finish and the one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The revolver has the oval ejector housing adopted about serial number 113,000 and the “cavalry style” hammer with elongated, bordered, knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is roll- stamped with address “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.-” in elongated block letters. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt three-date/three-line patent markings followed by the “U.S” property mark. The Sub-Inspector’s initials, “R.A.C.” are stamped on the underside of the barrel, the bottom of the frame above the serial number, on the side of the cylinder and on the left heel of the grip. A “K” Colt sub-inspection mark
is stamped on the trigger guard, the back strap, on the front of the ejector housing and on the barrel behind the ejector housing stud, with “P” proof marks stamped on the underside of the barrel, in front of the “R.A.C.” sub-inspection mark and on the side of the cylinder. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number “2215”, is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. All of the
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 80% plus of the original blue and color casehardened finish. The “feathered” polishing marks are visible on either side of the front sight blade. The left side of the barrel and right side of the ejector housing have some light holster wear. The cylinder has some holster wear on high points and light drag lines. The trigger guard has most of the blue with some thinning on the grip strap. The back strap has typical handling wear and the blue has thinned to a gray patina. The case colors on the loading gate have faded to a silver-gray patina. The frame and grip screws retain most of the niter blue finish. The grip is very fine with very minor handling wear and strong date, final inspection and sub-inspection marks. The action is tight and crisp but the hammer will not hold at half-cock. This is an exceptional original example of an 1890 production, “R.A.C.” sub-inspection Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 25,000 - 37,500