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LOT 66
Outstanding Documented Factory Presentation
“JTC” Serialized Colt Single Action Army Revolver
in .44 Russian Presented to U.S. Sub-Inspector John
T. Cleveland with R.L. Wilson Letter - Serial no. J.T.C.,
44 Russian cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. In 1966, noted Colt historian and author
R.L. Wilson examined this very intriguing, rare, and high
condition Colt Single Action Army revolver in .44 Russian,
and he recorded his observations in an accompanying
letter. Its condition and rare configuration make this black
powder frame SAA well worthy of the finest public or private
collection, while its historical significance places it in a
league of its own. Wilson concluded that the revolver was
gifted by the Colt factory to John T. Cleveland, the U.S. sub-
inspector of Colt Cavalry Models from August 24, 1876 to
March 2, 1877. His hypothesis is based on the “JTC” marking
replacing a typical serial number on the frame. Wilson
wrote, “James T. Cleveland was obviously a very important
person to the Colt factory, someone worthy of generous
consideration by all hands. It seems to me altogether logical
that this gun would be specially made for him personally,
whether as a gift (most likely) or as a favor (a possibility).
The marking J.T.C. appears to have been made by using
one of Cleveland’s inspector stamps—a distinct means of
personalizing this gun. It should be noted that such favors as
this were not supposed to have been done by the contractor,
but special favors of one form or another were done for
government officials (though admittedly only occasionally)
and in fact, they still are. As a factory employee I know this
to be true from firsthand experience. It is interesting to note
at least one other similar instance of a personalized Colt
revolver. This was a Root Sidehammer pistol, specially made
for Mr. Loren Ballou. Ballou was a superintendent of the
factory, and his revolver was stamped with his name on the
butt and on the cylinder—in place of the serial numbers! The
actual serial was marked on the barrel only.”
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