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LOT 1052
Exceptional Rinaldo A. Carr Sub-Inspected Colt Single Action Cavalry
Model Revolver with Kopec Letter - Serial no. 139968, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This U.S. contract Colt
Single Action Cavalry Model revolver was manufactured in 1891 and inspected
by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Rinaldo A. Carr (R.A.C.) and Captain Stanhope E.
Blunt (SEB). This revolver is one of the last examples of the 37,063 Single Action Army revolvers
purchased by the Ordnance Department between 1873 and 1891. In his accompanying
silver seal letter of authentication, noted Colt historian and author John Kopec presented his
observations about this revolver. This Cavalry Model was previously listed in Kopec’s survey
and falls between Artillery Models nos. 139965
and 14009 in the survey. The revolver was not
located in the records at the National Archives;
however, the records reference Artillery Models nos. 139929 and 140396, “clearly indicating that some of these
revolvers had actually served with a Cavalry regiment prior to being recalled just two years after being issued.” Kopec
believed that this revolver no. 139968 was issued to a militia unit shortly after it left the factory and noted the revolver as a
“well-preserved militia-issued ‘U.S’ Cavalry revolver.”
The revolver has the military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and 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/two-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, in the hammer well above the firing pin hole and on the barrel
behind the ejector housing stud. “P” proof marks are 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 “8966”
is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The assembly number,
“1905”, is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the date “1891” above the script initials “SEB” enclosed in a rectangle with rounded edges.
The script sub-inspection mark consisting of the script initials “RAC” in a rectangle is stamped on the lower right side of the grip.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 80% of the original blue and 70% original casehardened finish. Feathered polishing marks are visible on the barrel on either side of the front
sight blade and above the ejector housing stud. There is some very minor edge wear on the muzzle, ejector housing and the cylinder. The blue finish on the contact points of the grip strap and
back strap has thinned to a deep gray patina, and the bluing on the trigger guard is thin. The frame, hammer and loading gate retain nearly all of the casehardened finish with vivid case colors
in protected areas and some minor silvering on the recoil shield and loading gate. The grip is fine with moderate handling wear. The date, final inspection and sub-inspection marks are light
but visible. All of the markings on the barrel, frame and cylinder are sharp. The hammer does not hold at half-cock, otherwise mechanically fine. This is a solid example of a documented one
of the last Colt Single Action Cavalry revolvers purchased by the U.S. Army.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 22,500 61