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LOT 3163
U.S. Colt Artillery Model Single
Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter and John Kopec Gold Seal
Letter - Serial no. 113437, 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, including a Lot 2 trigger guard (“2085”) sub- inspected by Ainsworth. The frame is numbered “113437” which dates to 1884. The back strap (“116411”) dates to 1885. The “DFC” inspected frame has the three-line patent dates marking followed by “US” on the left side. A “P” proof and a faint “C” initial for sub-inspector A.P. Casey are stamped on the underside of the barrel along with a partial serial number “923.” Many of the Casey sub-inspected revolvers are found in the 18000 serial number range and include
the revolvers issued to the reorganized 7th Cavalry three months after the disastrous Battle of Little Bighorn.
Ordnance sub-inspector Rinaldo A. Carr’s “RAC” is stamped on the cylinder, and the bottom of the grip. The right side of the grip
has the date “1903” along with a “RAC” script letter cartouche. The included factory letter states the revolver was sent to the U.S. Government inspector at
the Colt plant on December 17, 1884, returned to the factory for Artillery Model refurbishment, and was shipped to the Springfield Armory, Springfield,
Massachusetts, on May 18, 1903 as part of a 500 gun delivery. In his accompanying gold seal letter of authentication, noted Colt expert and author
John Kopec states the revolver is new to his survey falling between nos. 113424 (Artillery Model) and 113439 (Cavalry Model) and notes the Ainsworth inspected trigger guard, Casey inspected barrel, and excellent grip cartouche.
CONDITION: Fine as Colt factory refurbished with 70% of the blue finish remaining and 40% case colors on the frame and hammer with smooth gray patina on the balance and a few areas of cleaned pitting. The grip is very fine with some high edge wear, slight chip at the toe (left side), some minor handling marks, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
LOT 3165
Etched Panel
Colt Black Powder Frontier Six
Shooter Single Action Army
Revolver with Holster and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 52012,
44 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
antique ivory grips. The .44-40 WCF
SAA has found a special place in
the hearts of Peacemaker collectors.
When introduced in 1877, the .44-40 WCF
SAA was intended to be used in conjunction with the another legendary Western
icon, the Winchester Model 1873 Rifle, which used the same cartridge. “The .44-40
WCF was added to the list of Colt calibers for use with the popular Winchester
rifle of the same caliber,” wrote Colt author David Brown. “This combination of a rifle and a six shooter using the same cartridge made it possible for their user to buy only one kind of ammunition, and he could carry ‘fodder’ for both guns in the same cartridge belt.”The accompanying factory letter confirms the .44-40 caliber chambers and blue finish.The barrel length and type of stocks are not listed, a common indication of standard 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks. The letter also states the revolver was shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, Missouri, on August 4, 1879. This was a 50 gun shipment. Missouri stood as a gateway to the West. This Peacemaker certainly has the look of being carried by a cowboy or pioneer looking for their fortunes out on the wild and unruly frontier. The left side of the barrel has the highly desirable “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” in an acid etched panel. In 1889 this highly desirable acid etched panel was replaced with a roll stamped marking. The barrel has the correct “44” caliber designation stamped in small font on the underside. The top of the barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped “44 CF.” Matching full or partial serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. Includes an open top/open toe lightly tooled leather holster marked “44” on the back loop.
CONDITION: Very good displaying all the character associated with a trusty frontier issued sidearm. The revolver
has a pleasing as found smooth brown-gray patina with traces of original blue finish in the protected areas. The hammer has faded to a smooth dark patina. The etched panel is faint but legible. The heavily worn replacement grip shows similar working gun character with a repair visible on left lower panel. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good. An antique
black powder Colt Frontier Six
Shooter Single Action Army
revolver showing authentic use.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3164
Nickel Plated David F. Clark
Inspected U.S. Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army
Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 73537, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. This example has a David F.
Clark inspected frame, which lacks the “US” marking as commonly found
on Colt repurchased government Cavalry Models. The included factory
letter lists this revolver with “blue” finish, barrel length and grips not listed, when shipped to the U.S. Government Inspector at the Colt factory on
October 29th, 1881. Most nickel plated U.S. contract Colt Single Action
Army revolvers are believed to be buy back guns that were furnished to the states under the Militia Act and re-sold to Colt in usually unused condition. Many U.S. Single Action buy back revolvers were apparently nickel plated
for Colt by the Adams Nickel-Plating & Mfg. Co. of South Windham, Connecticut in order to distinguish them from U.S. property guns and sold by Colt on the commercial market. It should be noted that Rock Island Auction previously sold another nickel plated example included in the same exact shipment as this example offered and close in serial range although with a “U.S” marked frame, serial number 73895 (Lot 3247, Auction 62). The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line Colt address, and the left of the frame has the three-line patent markings. The small “D.F.C.” (David F. Clark) Ordnance sub-inspection mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel, bottom of the frame above the serial number and on the side of the cylinder. No Ordnance final inspection
or sub-inspection marks visible on the grip. The loading gate is stamped
with the assembly number “595”. Full and partial matching visible serial numbers located on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, barrel, cylinder and handwritten in black ink inside the grip mortise.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% period retailer applied nickel plated finish
with scattered areas flaking to a smooth gray and brown patina with some patches of light pitting, scratches, and defined markings and edges in the metal overall. Grip is good as period sanded and re-oiled, with scattered
dents, scratches and flaking. The full cock hammer click is non-functioning, otherwise mechanically fine.
128 Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500