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This historic U.S. Colt Artillery Model Single Action
Army revolver has a scanned copy of a Springfield
Research Service (SRS) letter that lists it by serial
number as issued on June 20, 1898 to Sergeant
Schuyler C. Morgan, who served as one of the
“Rough Riders” in both Company G and I of the 1st
U.S. Volunteer Cavalry during the Spanish-American
War. These Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army
revolvers were brought back into service during the
Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, and Moro
Rebellion, and were famously used by a number of “Rough
Riders”. Commanded by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, the 1st
U.S. Volunteer Cavalry included cowboys, soldiers of fortune,
Native Americans and Ivy League graduates. Included
scanned copies of Sergeant Morgan’s service records from
the Spanish-American War indicate that Morgan, a resident
of Hazard, Kentucky, enlisted in the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry
on May 4, 1898, at Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was mustered
out of the service at the conclusion of the Spanish-American
War at Camp Wyckoff, New York, on September 15, 1898. He
was reportedly also issued a U.S. Springfield Krag-Jorgensen
carbine bearing serial number 28537. Also includes a
scanned copy of a factory letter that states the revolver
was originally delivered to the U.S. Government Inspector
at the Colt plant on October 23, 1882, in .45 caliber, blue
finish, with barrel length and type of grips not listed. The
letter further states that this revolver was subsequently
returned to Colt for refurbishing and alteration to Artillery
configuration with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, and re-delivered to
the U.S. Government Inspector at the Colt plant on January
31, 1896. This revolver is also identified by serial number
as issued to “Rough Rider” Sergeant Schuyler C. Morgan
on page 111 of “Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers... a
Continuing Study” by Kopec and Fenn. The list notes that
at the date of publication in 1994, only ten “Rough Rider”
Single Action revolvers had been identified in private
collections, and this revolver is not included as one of the
identified examples. The revolver has the components with
mixed serial numbers which are typical of U.S. contract
Single Action revolvers altered to Artillery configuration.
The frame is serial numbered “82206” on bottom and roll-
stamped with the three-line patent markings on the left
side. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line
Colt Hartford barrel address, with a “P” proofmark and “D.F.C.”
Clark sub-inspection initials on bottom, and the partial serial
number “4886” beneath the ejector housing. The trigger
guard is serial numbered “6756” and stamped with a small
“A” Ainsworth sub-inspection mark, with serial number
“17576” on the butt of the back strap which has a small “J”
at the top. The early cylinder has small stops without leads
and is stamped with the serial number “3273”, a “P” proof
mark and the small “A” sub-inspection mark. The inside of the
loading gate is stamped with the assembly number “4990”.
No markings are visible on the one-piece walnut grip. The
ejector rod has the later pattern, oval head and the hammer
spur has bordered,
elongated knurling.
CONDITION: Good overall
as a historic “Rough Riders”
issued Artillery Model, retains traces of blue finish in the
cylinder flutes, exhibiting brown/gray patina, light pitting,
and characteristic wear as one would expect from a
historic revolver such as this, with a few battle scars in the
grip. Mechanically functions. This is a rare opportunity
to acquire a historic documented “Rough Riders” U.S.
Colt Artillery Model Single Action Artillery revolver, an
immensely desirable piece for any military collector!
Estimate: 25,000 - 50,000
As listed by serial number in Cavalry &
Artillery Revolvers by Kopec & Fenn
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