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LOT 3070
Excellent U.S. Colt Model 1878/1902 “Alaskan/
Philippine” Double Action Revolver with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 47981, 45 Long Colt cal., 6 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, hard rubber grips. These modified Model 1878s
were manufactured upon request of the U.S. Army during
the Philippine-American War and Moro Rebellion. A stronger
mainspring was installed to ensure the hammer had enough force
to fire the .45 Long Colt government ammunition which was less
sensitive than the ammunition on the civilian market. The smaller
Model 1878 trigger and trigger guard were replaced with larger
versions to help compensate for the resulting stiffer trigger pull.
These revolvers also have a lanyard loop on the butt. This example
is in well above average condition for a model of revolver that
was sent to the Philippine jungle. The accompanying factory
letter states the revolver was sold to the U.S. government and
shipped o Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory, Springfield,
Massachusetts, on December 16, 1902 with a 6 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and type of stocks not listed.
This was a 300 gun shipment. The right side of the frame is marked with the U.S. inspector initials “JTT”, “1902”,
and “US.”, and the left side of the frame, left side of the trigger guard and the rear cylinder face have the inspector
initials “RAC.” A “P” proof mark is found on the rear cylinder face and underside of barrel, which also has a “K”
inspection mark. The cylinder and loading gate are numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus bright original high polish blue finish with some high edge wear and
back strap thinning to a brown. The grips are fine with a repair on the right panel, some handling marks, and
overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A solid Representative example of a U.S. Colt Model 1878/1902
“Alaskan/Philippine” Revolver.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3071
Fine Antique
U.S. Navy Contract
Colt Model 1889/95
Double Action
Revolver - Serial no.
1769, 38 Long Colt cal., 6 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured in 1889 as
part of a 5,000 gun contract for the
U.S. Navy, and one of a reported 4,637 later returned to Colt
for conversion to the updated Model 1895 type cylinder and
locking system. The Model 1889 Navy revolver is historically
significant as both the first Colt double action with a swing-
out cylinder and the first double action revolver adopted by
the U.S. military. Features rounded blade front and top strap notch rear sights, two
line Colt address and patent dates (1884, ‘88 and ‘95) on top of the barrel, and with
“star/C” Navy proofs stamped on the left of the frame and on the cylinder crane. With
matching “1918” assembly numbers marked on the frame, barrel, cylinder crane, and
cylinder latch. Factory replacement cylinder and ejector both numbered “32”. The butt
is stamped “U.S.N./anchor/.38D.A./No/1769/P/W.W.K/1889”. Fitted with a pair of arsenal
replacement smooth walnut grips.
CONDITION: Very fine as Colt factory refurbished/upgraded (see above), retains 75% original blue finish with
thinning to smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, some scattered minor surface freckling and some
patches of oxidation visible on the topstrap. Arsenal replacement grips are very fine as re-oiled, with some light
scratches and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3069
Very Scarce
Antique Colt
Model 1892 New Army
Double Action
Revolver - Serial no.
1741, 38 LC cal., 6 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1893. It has the two-line barrel address/
patent dates marking, “COLT. D.A. 38” on the left side
of the barrel, “R.A.C.” inspector marks throughout, and
matching visible numbers. Standard Army and model
markings on the butt and “DMT” and “RAC” cartouches on the grips, with the
left grip dated “1893”. Small collection marking in white under varnish on the
bottom of the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original blue finish thinning to a grey patina
in some areas of contact with some scattered patches of light pitting. The
period correct grips have some minor dings and scratches, concentrated
heavier on the butts with clear markings. Mechanically excellent. These Colt
Model 1892 DA revolvers are seldom found!
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3068
U.S. Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army
Revolver - Serial no. 54390, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/ 2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips.
Originally a Cavalry Model, this revolver was refurbished to Artillery
Model configuration in 1901. These arms were brought back into
service during the Spanish-American War, Filipino-American War,
and Moro Rebellion. Though nicknamed “Artillery Models,” they were
actually issued to a variety of U.S. Army units and particularly known to have been favored
for use against the Moro warriors who were known to continue fighting after being shot
with the weaker .38 caliber Colt double action revolvers also in use. The revolver has mixed
numbers and components typical of the Artillery variants. The David F. Clark sub-inspected
frame (54390) dates to 1880. Trigger guard no. 18877 dates to 1875
and has A.P. Casey’s inspector “C” initial. The lightly stamped back strap
no. 9697, has Orville W. Ainsworth’s inspector “A” initial, and dates to
1874. The cylinder has Rinaldo A. Carr’s inspector “RAC” initials and
serial number “1309.” The barrel also has “RAC” initials and the one-line
Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent
dates marking followed by “U.S.” The ejector rod has the early “bullseye”
head. The both sides of the grip have a script letter cartouche and the
left side has the date “1901.”
CONDITION: Fine as Colt factory refurbished. The barrel and ejector rod
housing retain 60% of the refurbished blue finish, the cylinder retains
40% of the blue finish and the grip straps retain 75% of the blue finish,
otherwise the revolver is a mix of
thinning to brown and smooth
gray patina. The re-oiled grip is
also fine with some minor handling
marks and legible cartouches.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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