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LOT 115
Documented U.S. Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army Revolver with
Factory Letter and John Kopec Silver Seal
Letter - Serial no. 31676, 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. In the included Colt factory letter it is noted the revolver was original sold to the U.S. Government, delivered to the U.S. Government Inspector at the Colt factory on December 8, 1876, as part of a 200 gun
shipment, returned to the factory for Artillery Model refurbishment, and shipped to Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts
on February 13, 1903, in a shipment of 150 guns. In the accompanying silver seal letter of authentication from noted Colt expert and author John Kopec, he mentions this revolver as listed in his survey falling between nos. 31668 (a Cavalry revolver) and 31684 (an Artillery revolver),
and based on National Archives records for revolvers 31554 and 31890, states, “[T]here is a possibility that this revolver’s frame while still affixed to its ‘host’ Cavalry revolver had also served with the Third Cavalry during the Indian Wars.” The frame carries the U.S. ordnance sub-inspector initials “LD” for Lewis Draper. The trigger guard no. 6361 was sub-inspected by O.W. Ainsworth as his “A” initial is stamped under the serial number (appears double struck). The back strap serial number “6361” was reapplied by Colt during the refurbishing along with the partially scrubbed rack number on the butt. The cylinder is a 1903 Colt factory replacement (including cylinder pin) and has the sub-inspector Rinaldo A. Carr’s “RAC” initials on the rear face. “RAC” initials are also stamped on the butt of the grip, and the right side of the grip has a very faint “RAC” cartouche. The barrel has the Colt factory re-rolled one-line Hartford address on top, has a U.S. Ordnance “P” stamped on the underside, and is numbered “1233.” The ejector rod housing as “K” for the initial of Colt factory inspector A. Kind, indicating the ejector was from a 1890/91 production Cavalry Model. The left side of the frame has the two-line Colt patent dates marking followed by “U.S.”
CONDITION: Very fine as Colt factory refurbished to Artillery Model. The barrel, ejector rod housing, and cylinder retain 85% of the blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The grip straps retain 60% of the blue finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance. 60% of the case colors remain on the frame, strongest on the front sides. The refinished grip is fine with high edge wear and a few dings. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive U.S. Colt Artillery Model Revolver authenticated by John Kopec.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 116
Fine, Documented U.S. David F. Clark Sub-
Inspected Cavalry Model/New York Militia Colt
Single Action Army Revolver with Holster and
Kopec Letter - Serial no. 120162, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
grips. This U.S. contract Colt Single Action Army comes
a letter of authentication from noted Colt SAA authority John A.
Kopec. Kopec noted, “This revolver #120162 was previously (Colt records) listed
in our survey and falls between #120160 (an 1896 Artillery) and #120163 (an Artillery
revolver) in this data-base...Because our subject revolver #120162 remains today in its basic
Cavalry configuration assures us that it had actually served with a Cavalry unit prior to being recalled by
the Ordnance Department.” As Kopec noted in the letter, the revolver was manufactured in 1887, was returned
to the Colt factory to be refurbished for the State of New York, and left the Colt factory for a second time on October
13, 1895. “Then during 1895,” continued Kopec, “a large lot of 2,000 of these former Cavalry revolvers were returned to the Colt
factory to be refurbished. The initial group of 800 revolvers were especially processed for the State of New York. Their barrels
were not shortened and all serial numbers were kept matching.” Other observations Kopec made about this revolver include: the
1920s-1930s factory period commercial replacement hammer (factory rework mark visible on right rear side of trigger guard bow), ejector
assembly changed during the 1895 factory refurbishing, correct grip which was refinished during the 1895 refurbishing, and modern replacement mainspring. The Ordnance-Sub-Inspector during the entire 1880s period was David F. Clark, and his initials “DFC” (faint) are found on the underside of
the frame, underside of the barrel and side of the cylinder. A small U.S. Ordnance “P” is stamped on the underside of the barrel. Matching full serial number
“120162” appears on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. These 1895 militia destined Cavalry Models above serial number 10,000 were stamped at the Colt factory with the missing prefixed serial number digit or digits ahead of the existing four digit serial numbers on the barrel and cylinder. The barrel and cylinder on this example are correctly marked with the full matching serial number. The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking followed by “US.” Includes a leather flap holster lacking visible markings.
CONDITION: Fine as refurbished by the Colt factory in 1895. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 60% of the blue finish, the cylinder retains 30% of the blue finish, and the grip straps retain 20% of the blue finish in the sheltered areas with a smooth gray patina on the balance overall. The later production replacement hammer retains 90% of the strong case colors. The frame retains traces of case colors in the sheltered areas. The Colt factory refinished grip is fine with a few minor handling marks. Mechanically functions but needs adjustment. The holster is good with replacement stitching. A solid example of a John Kopec identified U.S. Cavalry Model/New York Militia Colt SAA Revolver.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
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