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LOT 1050
Outstanding Documented David F. Clark Sub-Inspected U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry Revolver with
Exceptional Holster, Factory Letter, and John Kopec Gold Seal Letter - Serial no. 114172, 45 Long Colt cal.,
7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This high condition U.S. contract Colt Cavalry Model
single action revolver was manufactured in 1884 and sub-inspected by David F. Clark. Renowned Colt historian and
author John Kopec examined this Cavalry Model and summarized his conclusions in his included November 8, 2019,
dated gold seal and ribbon letter of authentication. The revolver is a new listing to the survey and fall between
Cavalry Model revolvers nos. 114162 and 114181 in the survey. The revolver was not listed among the records held
at the National Archives. Kopec believed the revolver escaped the Ordnance Department recall in 1893 and “has
remained in its near-new condition because of being issued to a state militia, where it remained in storage at one of
the state armories until it was returned unused to the Springfield Armory.” Speaking to the condition, Kopec wrote,
“This revolver remains today in ‘as new’ condition as one would ever hope to find. Evidently it had remained in the
accompanying holster since it had been purchased as surplus
from the Armory. The factory applied military blue finish
remains with almost complete coverage. The cylinder shows a
few ‘turning streaks’. The triggerguard and straps show almost
complete coverage. The frame’s case-colors remain complete
with some natural mild fading occurring throughout the years.
Truly a beautiful revolver to behold!” Kopec also examined the
accompanying Rock Island Arsenal M1881 holster. “The overall
condition of this holster was found to be very well preserved, it
has kept its contents well throughout the years.”
The included factory letter states the revolver was sold to
the U.S. government and delivered to the U.S. government
inspector at the Colt plant on December 31, 1884. This was a
delivery of 150 guns.
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