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LOT 3166
Documented Nickel Plated John T. Cleveland Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry
Model Single Action Army Revolver with Ivory Grip, Factory Letter, and John
Kopec Letter, Identified in “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army” - Serial no. 35556, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in 1877, this U.S. Colt Cavalry Model revolver was inspected
by John T. Cleveland and is identified by serial number on pages 222 and 249 in Graham,
Moore, and Kopec’s “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver.” When the study was
first published in 1976, serial number 34189 and this revolver, no. 35556, were the only two
nickel plated Cavalry Models found in the John T. Cleveland inspection era (1876-1877). The
authors “believed that these two revolvers [nos. 34189 and 35556] were special ordered
for officer’s personal use” (page 249). The revolver is again listed by serial number in the
aforementioned book on page 222 where it is cited as having been “turned over to the
Ordnance Inspector at the Colt factory on February 13, 1877.” In the later Kopec publication “Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers...A
Continuing Study,” eight nickel plated revolvers in the Cleveland series are identified with this revolver no. 35556 not being listed (page 49). Nickel plated
Cavalry Models have taken center stage to a grand debate among Colt and U.S. military firearms collectors that continues on to today. Four basic theories for
the existence of highly controversial nickel plated U.S. Cavalry Model Revolvers have developed over the decades and are the following: 1) issued to Indian
Scouts and Police; 2) special order “officers” revolvers; 3) surplus State of Virginia Militia revolvers sold to and nickel plated by Colt or commercial retailers; and
4) U.S. Navy revolvers. For the history related to this ongoing debate see “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” pages 249-258.
Recently, noted Colt historian and author John Kopec had a chance to re-examine this revolver. In his accompanying bronze seal letter of authentication
Kopec stated the revolver falls between two Artillery revolvers (nos. 35550 and 35569) in his database and while not found in the National Archives records,
the closest Cavalry Model in the records is no. 35496, which was issued the 2nd Cavalry as of March 18, 1882. “Because this revolver remains today in its basic
Cavalry configuration suggests that it had avoided being recalled from Cavalry service during 1893,” wrote Kopec, “and therefore not modified into the Artillery
configuration. Its survival in this configuration is probably due to its having been issued to one of the state militia regiments shortly after manufacture. During
1877 there were only 27 revolvers issued to the states. Then in 1878 there were 1,207 revolvers issued to various states. The State of Michigan alone being
issued 690 revolvers during August of that year. Therefore there remains a good chance that our subject revolver #35556 had been among these 1878 issues.”
Per Kopec the revolver was previously in the Captain William Peterson, USN collection. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber with barrel length,
finish and grips as “Not Listed” and that it was delivered as 1 of 203 to the U.S. Government Inspector at the Colt factory on February 13, 1877.
As for the revolver itself, the top of the barrel is marked with the one-line Hartford address and the underside is marked John T. Cleveland’s “J.T.C.” initials and
“P” directly ahead of the cylinder pin. The left side of the frame is marked with the three-line patent dates followed by “U.S.” The loading gate is marked with
the assembly number “2228”. The cylinder is marked with the letter “P” and “J.T.C.” “J.T.C.” is also marked on the bottom of the frame over the serial number. The
full matching serial number is marked on the frame, trigger guard and back strap with the partial number “5556” on the cylinder and barrel. The revolver has a
“bulls-eye” ejector rod head and blade front and frame notch rear sights.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 90% period nickel plating with some edge wear and scattered minor flaking. There are a couple areas of minor pitting on the recoil shield. The grips have shrunk but remain
good with three small shallow holes on the upper left side, some minor age cracks and a pleasant patina. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically needs adjustment. A well
documented nickel plated John Cleveland inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver.
Provenance: The Captain William Peterson, USN Collection; The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 3167
Fine Antique Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 26498, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. The accompanying factory letter states this revolver was shipped on June 28, 1876 to J.P. Moores
Sons of New York City, in .45 caliber and blue finish, with barrel length and type of grips not listed, a common indication of a 7 1/2 inch
barrel and walnut grip, which were standard for the period. This shipment was for 50 guns. J.P Moores was one of Colt’s many large
distributors, a first stop for thousands of firearms that were destined to head farther west. The Colt Single Action Army was one of the
most popular handguns in the late 19th century, and is easily the most iconic and most thoroughly associated with the American West.
This example was manufactured in a time when much of the West remained untamed, and it certainly has the classic charming look
of a well cared for authentic western gun. The top of the barrel has the standard one-line Colt Hartford address on top, the left of the
frame has the two-line patent dates, “45CAL” marked on the left of the trigger guard, matching serial number marked on the bottom of
the frame, trigger guard, and butt, with assembly number “4999” marked on the loading gate. It is fitted with blade and groove sights
and a smooth walnut one-piece grip.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus original blue finish, 30% plus original case colors on the frame and hammer, with smooth gray and
brown patina on the balance, scattered spotting, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Grip is excellent, with most of the
original glossy varnish finish, a few minor handling marks, and distinct edges. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000