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LOT 3144
Scarce, Documented Lewis Draper/John T. Cleveland Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 34214, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, cartouched walnut
grips. This Colt Cavalry Model revolver was inspected by Lieutenant David A. Lyle and sub-inspectors John T. Cleveland and Lewis Draper. The barrel and cylinder were inspected by John T. Cleveland. The frame was inspected by
Lewis Draper. Lyle’s cartouche under “1877” is on the left side of the grip, and Cleveland’s cartouche is on the right. Slightly over
1,000 of these revolver were manufactured bearing the “1877” date. The bottom of the grip has Cleveland’s “JTC” initials. The
frame has the three-line patent dates followed by “U.S.” on the left side and “LD” on the underside just above the serial number.
The underside of the barrel has a“P”proof and“JTC.”The cylinder has a“P”proof and“JTC.”“Duel inspected”Cavalry Models are extremely desirable revolvers. Colt SAA experts Kopec and Fenn only accounted for 36 Cavalry Models with Lewis Draper sub-inspected
frames in the 30693-35569 serial number range on page 45 in “Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study.” Matching full serial number “34214” appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The matching partial serial number “4214” is on the cylinder. In
“Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study,” it is noted that Lyle found many 1876-77 revolvers to have had barrel to cylinder alignment issues which led to many of these barrels having mismatching barrels or cylinders. This is one such example as the barrel has
the serial number “31935.” The revolver remains in original Cavalry configuration, and the fact that it is fitted with a barrel from condemned
revolver highlights a chapter in the Colt Cavalry Model story. The revolver is featured in “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” on
page 233 and photographed 234.
CONDITION: Very good overall. The replacement barrel (see above) has marks visible on both sides. This rare duel inspected Colt Cavalry Model revolver is a true
survivor of the Indian Wars with a classic smooth brown-gray patina of a well-traveled U.S. sidearm that spent its life on the frontier. The lightly sanded and re-oiled grip has similar character with a chip and well worn high edge from spending time in the hand. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Samuel L. Maxwell Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 3145
U.S. Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army Revolver
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 31696, 45 LC cal., 5 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. These Colt “Artillery Model” Single Action Army
revolvers 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 “JTC” inspected frame comes with a serial number stating the holster revolver was sold to the U.S. Government,
delivered to the U.S. inspector at the Colt plant on December 1876, returned to the factory for Artillery Model refurbishment and reshipped to the Springfield Armory on December 21, 1901. The trigger guard (“120901”) and the back strap (“120306”) date to 1887. The left side of the frame has the
two-line patent dates followed by “U.S.” The underside of the barrel is stamped with the inspector initials “RAC” and has a “P” proof. The cylinder has a “P” proof and
the inspector initials “DFC”. The grip as a script letter cartouche on both sides, the date “1901” on the left side, and “RAC” on the left bottom.
CONDITION: Fine as factory refurbished/refinished, retaining 60% of the blue finish with patches of light pitting on topstrap, thinning to brown on the balance. The hammer and frame retain 30% case colors in and around the protected areas. The sanded and undersize refinished grip is very good with faint cartouches and a few handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER BY GRAHAM, KOPEC, MOORE