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LOT 48
Rare Documented W.W. Johnson Sub-Inspected
Custer’s Avenger Range U.S. Colt Cavalry Model
Single Action Army Revolver with John Kopec Gold
Seal Letter - Serial no. 17553, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, cartouched walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1875 this is an exceptionally scarce Colt Cavalry
Model revolver that was dual sub-inspected by both W. W. Johnson
and A. P. Casey. The included John Kopec gold seal letter indicates that
this revolver was previously listed in their survey and falls between
nos. 17549 (an Artillery Model) and 17555 (a Cavalry Model). The
revolver could not be located in the National Archives records, but it
falls between revolvers nos. 17492 and 17586 that were both issued
to the 7th Cavalry as of July 14, 1883. Kopec wrote, “We believe that
these revolvers had been issued to these ‘after-battle’ replacement
7th Cavalry recruits during October of 1876, just some three months
after the famous Custer Battle...The earliest recorded serial number
of these issues was #17128 and the highest number within the group
was #17647. Our subject revolver [#17553] certainly fits well within
this group.” These revolvers would have been issued to the 7th Cavalry
that was reformed shortly after George Custer’s command was wiped
out at the Battle of Little Bighorn and were likely carried through
the remainder of the Indian Wars. The disastrous Battle of the Little
Bighorn fomented national outrage in both the U.S. Army and public.
New recruits eagerly rushed to enlist, and these revolvers were issued
to replacement troops known as Custer’s Avengers. The 7th Cavalry
subsequently fought in the Nez Perce War, Crow War, and Ghost Dance
War, including at the infamous Wounded Knee Massacre.
Because the revolver remains in original Cavalry Model configuration,
Kopec also speculated that the revolver was issued to state militia
regiment. The revolver has the early “bullseye” ejector rod head,
“cavalry” hammer with bordered elongated knurling on the spur and
cone-shaped firing pin. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the
first style, “script” barrel address “+ COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD,
CT. U.S.A. +” with slanted crosses at either end. The left side of the
frame is roll-stamped with the Colt, two-date/two-line patent marking
followed by a small “U.S.” property mark. The small “J” sub-inspection
mark used by Johnson is stamped below the serial number on the
trigger guard, underside of barrel, cylinder, back strap, and ejector
rod housing. The “P” proof is found on the underside of the barrel
and cylinder. The left side of the grip has a sub-inspected A.P. Casey
cartouche. Kopec noted, “The cartouche of the Sub-Inspector A.P.
Casey remains today in better condition than many of these 1875
manufactured examples we have encountered.” Matching full or
partial serial numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard, back
strap, grip back strap channel, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Very good, displaying the mixed patina associated an
Indian Wars survivor with 30% of the original blue finish visible mostly
on and under the ejector rod housing, top rear grip straps, and in the
cylinder flutes. The grip is fine with high edge wear, minor dings and
scratches mostly on the bottom and legible cartouche. Mechanically
excellent. This rare inspector is missing in most Cavalry collections!
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
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