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LOT 3076
Documented W.W. Johnson Sub-
Inspected Custer’s Avenger Range/New
York Militia Marked U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with John Kopec
Letter - Serial no. 17561, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, cartouched
walnut grips. This Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver was manufactured in 1875 and inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector
W.W. Johnson. The revolver was examined by noted Colt historian and author John Kopec and he has recorded his observations in the
included silver seal letter of authentication. The revolver was a new listing in Kopec’s survey and falls between two Artillery Models (nos.
17560 and 17562) in his database. The revolver was not located in the records held at the National Archives but no.
17492 is a known 7th Cavalry issued revolver and 17586 was issued to Troop C, 7th Cavalry as of June 14, 1883.
Kopec noted, “Both of these revolvers had been issued to the Seventh Cavalry replacement troops on October 3,
1876, just three months after the famous Custer Battle...A large contingent of new Cavalry recruits were assembled
at Bismarck, North Dakota Territory during September of 1876. Those recruits that had been specifically assigned
to the Seventh Cavalry were nicknamed ‘The Custer Avengers’ by the citizens of Bismarck.” The disastrous Battle
of the Little Bighorn fomented national outrage in both the U.S. Army and public. New recruits eagerly rushed to
enlist, and these revolvers were issued to replacement troops known as Custer’s Avengers. Kopec concluded
that there was “a good probability” that this revolver was among those issued to Custer’s Avengers. The revolver
was returned to the Colt factory in 1895 for refurbishment (not converted to an “Artillery Model”) and was
among the first 800 revolvers specifically refurbished for the State of New York. As part of this refurbishment all
serial numbers were kept matching and revolvers above serial number 9999 had partial serial numbers made
complete by adding the first digit to complete the revolver’s entire serial number. For this revolver the barrel
serial number was given a “1” ahead of the already existing partial serial number “7561.” The cylinder to this
revolver is mismatched (“121047”), and Kopec considered the cylinder to be a “field mixed component and was
fitted to this revolver because of an exchange which occurred while the troopers were cleaning their revolvers,
one trooper mistakenly fitted his fellow trooper’s cylinder to this revolver. This was a very common occurrence
with the New York Militia revolvers and is today considered as being a ‘historically correct’ replacement. This
cylinder’s ‘host’ New York Militia revolver #121047 left Colt’s the second time on October 11, 1895.” The markings
on the butt were applied by the New York militia armorer. There is the number “19” with the “1” stamped upside
down and was likely for Nineteenth Separate Company.” The letters “SC” with the “S” stamped sideways stood for
Signal Corps. The number “22” was likely a rack number. The letter “B” is unknown. The barrel has the correct one-
line Hartford address on top and “J” and “P” on the underside. The “P” proof mark is repeated on the cylinder. Sub-
Inspector W.W. Johnson’s “J” initial is repeated on the trigger guard. The “J” initial is one of the rarer sub-inspector
marks. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by “U.S.” Matching serial numbers
appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and barrel. This revolver is documented as a New York Militia issue
on page 43 of “Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study.”
CONDITION: Fine as Colt factory refurbished in 1895. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 30% of the blue
finish, traces of blue finish remain in the cylinder flutes, the grip straps retain 30% of the blue finish, and the
hammer and frame retain 20% of the case colors with a smooth gray patina on the balance and some scattered
light pitting. The grip is also fine with high edge wear, series of dings on the butt, and a slight chip at a toe.
Mechanically excellent. A desirable New York Militia Colt Cavalry Model revolver.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LISTED BY SERIAL
NUMBER IN THE
BOOK COLT CAVALRY
& ARTILLERY
REVOLVERS... A
CONTINUING STUDY
BY KOPEC & FENN
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