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LOT 190
Desirable Early Production Antique Colt Single
Action Army Revolver with Ivory Grip, “Slim Jim”
Holster, and Cartridge Belt - Serial no. 24307, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in 1876, the third year
of production, this is a solid representative example of Colt’s Single Action Army that has that “frontier issued”, “been there, done that” look. From the original
Colt Paterson revolvers to the legendary Model 1911, Colt sidearms dutifully served the American fighting man, with perhaps none being more iconic and
recognizable as a true piece of Americana than the Single Action Army. From the jungles of the Philippines, to the charge up San Juan Hill, to the wild frontiers of
the American West, the Single Action Army forged its legacy as a powerful and dependable sidearm, not only for military men, but for settlers, lawmen, outlaws, Native
Americans, miners, and ranchers alike. One could show someone from almost anywhere in the world an image of a Single Action Army and they would instantly recognize it as a Colt and
as American. This particular example, as well as the included holster rig it’s paired with, certainly have the look of a revolver that spent time on the frontier and has stories to tell. The top of
the barrel is marked with the standard single line Colt address, showing a weak stamping along the bottom of the letters, which is noted as a trait of this roll mark on p. 15 of “A Study of the
Colt Single Action Army Revolver” by Graham, Kopec, and Moore. The left side of the frame has the early style, two-line patent date marking, including only the 1871 and 1872 patent dates.
The caliber marking is on the left rear of the trigger guard. The full matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the matching partial
serial number is marked on the cylinder and bottom of the barrel under the ejector rod housing. The assembly number “3191” is marked inside the loading gate. The ejector rod features
the early type “bullseye” end. It is fitted with the standard blade front and frame-top groove rear sights, as well as a very attractive, smooth, antique ivory grip that has every appearance of
having originally been fitted to the revolver. Adding to the frontier character of the revolver is an included holster rig featuring a plain “Slim Jim” or “California” type holster and a cartridge belt
featuring a single row of cartridge loops. This pattern of holster was a carry over from the percussion era and is very appropriate for an early production Single Action Army, particularly one
that may have spent time in the “Wild West”.
CONDITION: Very fine as “frontier issued”, retaining 70% of the original nickel finish with mild holster/handling type wear and a few scattered patches of very light surface pitting, typical of
a well-traveled sidearm. The grip is fine, having slightly shrunk over years of use and shows the attractive weathered look of having spent years in a holster and in the hand on the frontier.
Mechanically excellent. The holster and cartridge belt are fine, showing moderate wear and age overall a few spots of restitching and a couple cartridge loops repaired. This is a highly attractive
example of a “frontier issued” Colt Single Action Army revolver with the highly desirable, appropriate “Slim Jim” holster rig that may have carried it for years!
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
LOT 189
Rinaldo A. Carr Sub-Inspected
U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single
Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 132842,
45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The accompanying factory letter
lists this revolver as sold to the U.S. Government and shipped on July 11, 1890, as
part of a 300 gun shipment, to the U.S. Government Inspector located at the Colt
plant, and confirms it as .45 caliber, blue finish, with barrel length and type of grip
not listed. Although not listed in the letter, standard U.S. Cavalry Model revolvers would have
been delivered with 7 1/2 inch barrels and a walnut grip. Offered is an original example of a U.S.
contract Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver that was inspected by Ordnance Sub-
Inspector Rinaldo A. Carr. At the time of this revolvers manufacture and delivery, Rinaldo A. Carr was
listed as the principal sub-inspector of the War Department, Ordnance Office, in which he performed the
physical inspection of approximately 4,000 U.S. issued Cavalry revolvers between 1889-1891 in the recorded serial range between 130438
through 140361, with Captain Stanhope E. Blunt, inspector for the Ordnance Department, in charge of receiving all these revolvers, per
information on page 253 of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” (2006 printing) by Graham, Kopec, and Moore. These were
the final U.S. contracts for the Single Action Army, dated November 12, 1889, and September 19, 1890,
with each of these two contracts being for 2,000 revolvers. The revolver features the standard one-line
Hartford barrel address, and the frame has the three-line Colt patent markings followed by a “US” property
mark. Small stamped “R.A.C” sub-inspection initials visible on the underside of the matching number barrel,
bottom of the frame above the serial number, and side of the cylinder. “P” proofmarks stamped on the
underside of the barrel and side of the cylinder. Assembly number “1062” stamped on the loading gate.
Matching visible serial numbers on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder. The left
side of the grip has a partly legible “1890” date above a bordered script letter “SEB” inspection cartouche of Captain Stanhope E. Blunt, and
the right side of the grip has Sub-Inspector Rinaldo A. Carr’s script letter “RAC” cartouche.
CONDITION: Very good with a desirable untouched natural appearance, retains traces of original blue finish and case colors in protected areas, with mostly darkened brown patina and mostly defined markings. Grip is also very
good, with some light handling marks, a small chip at the lower left front corner, period nail head dings on the butts, and legible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This is a solid representative example of a Rinaldo A. Carr Sub-
Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
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