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LOT 1046
Highly Desirable Documented Lewis Draper/John T. Cleveland Inspected
U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with John Kopec Letter
- Serial no. 31774, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, cartouched walnut grips. This Colt Cavalry Model revolver was inspected by
Lieutenant David A. Lyle and sub-inspectors John T. Cleveland and Lewis Draper.
It was examined by noted Colt historian and author John Kopec and he recorded
his observations in the accompanying silver seal letter of authentication. The
revolver was a new listing in the Kopec survey, falling between nos. 31762 (a New
York militia revolver) and 31775 (an Artillery Model) in the database. Kopec noted,
“Interestingly, we find that the consecutively numbered revolver #31775 is today
found in the Artillery configuration, indicating that some of these revolvers within
this serial number range had actually served with a Cavalry regiment prior to being
recalled during 1893.” Nos. 31554 and 31890 are known to have been issued to the
3rd Cavalry. As this revolver remains in original Cavalry Model configuration, Kopec
concluded it had been issued to a state militia unit.
The barrel and cylinder were inspected by John T. Cleveland. The frame was
inspected by Lewis Draper. Lyle’s cartouche under “1876” is on the left side of
the grip, and Cleveland’s cartouche is on the right. The bottom of the grip has
Cleveland’s “JTC” initials. The frame has the three-line patent dates followed by
“U.S.” on the left side and “LD” on the underside just above the serial number. The
underside of the barrel has a “P” proof and “JTC.” The cylinder has a “P” proof and
“JTC.” “Dual inspected” Cavalry Models are extremely desirable revolvers. Colt SAA
experts Kopec and Fenn only accounted for 36 Cavalry Models with Lewis Draper
sub-inspected frames in the 30693-35569 serial number range on page 45 in
“Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers…a Continuing Study.” Matching full serial number
“31774” appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The matching partial
serial number “1774” is on the cylinder and barrel.
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