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The revolver was recently evaluated by noted Colt historian and author John Kopec and comes with a Kopec gold seal letter of authentication with ribbon. Kopec declared that no. 139094 was used by the “U.S. Ordnance Department as a model gun for the purpose of establishing the length at which to shorten the old M1881 Cavalry holsters to accommodate the new (proposed) 5 1⁄2”‘altered’ pistols, and to also establish the correct length for any newly-manufactured holsters for this model. This order was made on July 10, 1895, and a special revolver with a shortened 5 1⁄2” barrel was assembled and sent to the Commanding Officer at the Rock Island Arsenal. This revolver was received at the arsenal on August 12,1895. Bearing in mind at this juncture, that the first 5 1/2” Colt-altered ‘Artillery’ revolvers were shipped from the factory on November 15, 1895, possibly in time to have been fitted with these shortened holsters. Our subject revolver #139094 is therefore the very first official ‘Artillery’ revolver to have been fitted with a shortened barrel.” Kopec also praised the revolver’s outstanding condition. “It retains in 100% original condition showing all of its original blue finish within the cylinder chambers,” noted Kopec. The revolver is pictured and described on pages 120-121 of “Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers” by John Kopec and Sterling Fenn, and a more significant detailed account of this revolver appears in C. Kenneth Moore’s “Single Action Army Revolvers U.S. Alterations” on pages 19-20. Moore determined that no. 139094 was both the 5 inch 1894 test revolver and model gun for holster modification. Moore stated that the revolver was formerly of the Lt. Col. R.C. Kuhn collection. Lt. Col. Kuhn was a longtime Ordnance officer and collector, who, as noted by Moore, “had access to and was able to acquire many Colt revolvers and other U.S. guns before values rose and their historical significance was fully appreciated. It is believed that one of the U.S. Colt Single Action Army revolvers once in his collection was one of the pistols used in the 1894 tests and was also the one sent to Rock Island Arsenal to be used as the model gun for shortening the Army’s holsters. It is serial 139094, and all numbers match on all parts except the barrel...It appears to have been the one which had the barrel cut down to five inches in length. The original five-inch barrel would have needed to have been replaced by one of the officially accepted length (5 1/2”) when the requirement arose in 1895 for a revolver to be used as a pattern for shortening the Army’s holsters. It appears the ‘DFC’ barrel, number 5302, was on hand at the Armory or was specifically removed from another revolver and altered to 5 1/2” to replace the
five-inch barrel on serial 139094. The revolver’s serial, 139094, is listed in the Factory records only once--the original date it was shipped to Springfield Armory in 1891 (CF). This means the alteration was definitely performed at Springfield Armory and that it had little use and did not need repairs after the Spanish-American War.”
This revolver has the full serial number stamped on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number “9094”. The barrel is stamped with the partial serial number “5302” beneath the ejector housing. The left side of the grip is branded with a block “A” and the right side is stamped with rack number “36”. These markings are typical of the grip markings found on Single Action revolvers issued to the New York State Militia. In addition to the serial numbers and distinctive grip markings, this revolver has the usual markings found on late production U.S. Contract Colt Single Action revolvers. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped “COLT’S P.T. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt three-date/two-line patent markings utilized after serial number 134,000 followed by the “U.S.” property mark. The small “R.A.C.” sub-inspection mark is stamped on the frame above the serial number, the side of the cylinder and on the right grip heel. A “D.F.C.” sub- inspection marks is stamped on the underside of the barrel. Small “P” proofmarks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and the side of the cylinder. Colt “K” inspection marks are stamped on the back strap, trigger guard, in the frame hammer well and on the face of the ejector housing. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the date “1891” above the script “SEB” Ordnance final inspection mark. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with a large script “RAC” sub-inspection mark. The revolver has the late oval ejector rod head. The hammer spur has elongated, bordered knurling. The barrel, ejector housing, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder have a military blue finish. The frame, loading gate and hammer are color casehardened. The screws and trigger have a fire blue finish and the one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. CONDITION: Excellent. This revolver remains in the same original condition as when it was issued by the Springfield Armory. The barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap show only very limited handling wear and retain 90% of the military blue finish. The frame, hammer and loading gate have 85% plus of the fiery case colors. The screws are in excellent condition. The screws and trigger retain nearly all of the fire blue finish. All of markings and serial numbers are extremely crisp. The grip is excellent with sharp date, Ordnance inspection marks and bold New York militia markings. Wear is limited to several minor chips in the right heel. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is a really outstanding example of a Colt Artillery Model Revolver that would be extremely hard to improve upon. As the first official Artillery Model revolver, this Colt is in a league of its own both in condition and historical significance. It will undoubtedly make a grand statement to any private or public collection no matter how advanced. Do not let this chance slip away! Provenance: The Lieutenant Colonel R.C. Kuhn Collection; The Robert Hoelscher Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 30,000 - 45,000
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