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LOT 3117
Exceptional 1891 Production, Rinaldo A. Carr Sub-Inspected U.S. Colt Single
Action Army Cavalry Model Revolver with Factory Letter and John Kopec Letter
- Serial no. 137096, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut grips. This truly exceptional U.S. contract Colt Single Action Cavalry Model
revolver was inspected by Captain Stanhope E. Blunt (S.E.B.) and Ordnance Sub-
Inspector Rinaldo A. Carr (R.A.C.). The accompanying factory letter states the revolver
was delivered to the U.S. Government inspector at the Colt plant on December
31, 1890. This was a 400 gun shipment. The revolver was examined by noted Colt
historian and author John Kopec, and he recorded his observations in his included
silver seal letter of authentication. The revolver was a new listing in his survey and falls
between nos. 137093 (New York militia) and 137099 (Cavalry Model) in this database.
Although this revolver could not be located in records kept at the National Archives,
three revolvers in the 137000 serial number range are found in these records. Nos.
137671, 137701, and 137940 are referenced as “stolen” from Co. K, 8th Cavalry as of
October 26, 1892. Since this revolver remains in original Cavalry Model configuration,
Kopec concluded it was “deposited at one of the state armories,” and then, in 1902,
the revolver was returned to the Springfield Armory and remained there until it was
classified as surplus. The earliest advertised surplus revolvers started in 1903.
The revolver has the Colt commercial blue finish utilized on the final production U.S.
contract single actions on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back
strap. The screws and trigger have a fire blue finish. The frame, hammer and loading
gate are color casehardened. The one piece walnut grip is oil finished. The ejector rod
has the late, oval head utilized after serial number 113,000. The “cavalry style” hammer
has elongated, bordered knurling on the spur. The “U.S.” property mark is stamped on
the left side of the frame. The small “R.A.C.” sub-inspection mark is stamped on: (1) the
underside of the barrel, (2) bottom of the frame above the serial number, (3) side of
the cylinder and (4) left grip heel. A “P” proofmark is stamped on the underside of the
barrel and on the side of the cylinder. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with
the year “1891” above the final inspection mark which consist of the script initials “SEB”
surrounded by a rectangle with rounded ends. The Ordnance sub-inspection marks
which consists of the script initials “RAC” in a rectangle with rounded ends is stamped
on the lower right sides of the grip. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the
“Type IV” address: “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” in one line. The late
“two-line/three-date” patent markings are stamped on the left side of the frame. The
inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number “382”. The full serial
number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The
partial serial number is stamped on the underside of the barrel beneath the ejector
housing and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. A Colt
“K” sub-inspection mark is stamped on the bottom of the trigger guard, back strap
beneath the serial number, on the barrel behind the ejector housing stud and on the
face of the ejector housing. This “K” sub-inspection mark is found primarily on 1890-91
production Cavalry Model revolvers.
CONDITION: Excellent. This revolver is all original and retains most of the original blue
and color casehardened finish. 90% of the blue is present on the barrel with some
minor edge wear at the muzzle and a few scattered handling and storage marks.
The Colt legend, serial number, proof and inspection marks are all crisp. The ejector
housing has some light finish wear on the front edge. The cylinder has 85% of the
blue finish with the drag marks visible between the stops high-point wear on the
front edge and flutes and some scattered spots of age discoloration on the sides. All
of the cylinder markings are sharp. The trigger guard and back strap have 95% of the
blue finish with some high point wear and some minor scratches and handling marks.
The frame retains 85% of the vivid case colors with some scattered handling marks
and silvering on the recoil shield. The loading gate has faded to a mottled gray with
some spots of age discoloration. The hammer shows cycling wear and has 85% of the
case colors. The trigger and screws retain most of the fire blue finish. The grip is good
overall with a number of shallow dents and handling marks on the sides and edges of
the heels. The date and Ordnance final and sub-inspection marks are clear and legible.
Mechanically excellent. Most of the Colt Cavalry Model Single Action revolvers were
altered to Artillery configuration between 1895 and 1903. Unaltered, original Cavalry
Model Single Actions are scarce and very desirable. This is an exceptional, original
example of one of the last Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolvers
purchased by the U.S Army.
Estimate: 22,500 - 37,500
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