Page 160 - 4096-BOOK2

158
LOT 1161
Highly Desirable Documented Lewis Draper Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action
Army Revolver with Kopec Letter and Factory Letters - Serial no. 31415, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The two accompanying factory letters both list
this revolver as sold to the U.S. government and shipped in a 100 gun shipment on October 28, 1876,
to the U.S. government inspector at the Colt plant, in .45 caliber with blue finish, barrel length and type
of grips not listed. John Kopec recorded his observations in the accompanying letter of authentication
dated October 14, 2004, in which the revolver was previously listed in Kopec’s survey; falling between
numbers 31412 (a condemned revolver) and 35044 (an Artillery Model). The nearest reference examples
found by Kopec in the National Archives records were a group known to have been issued to Troop G,
3rd Cavalry as of September 14, 1886, bearing serial numbers 31554, 31890, 31946, and 32018. Kopec
further indicates it is possible this subject revolver could have also been issued to the 3rd Cavalry,
or may have been issued to a state militia unit and remained in storage, explaining how it may have
escaped the Ordnance Department’s recall of 1893. Kopec also notes that this revolver was inspected
by Lieutenant David A. Lyle along with Sub-Inspectors John T. Cleveland and Lewis Draper, who was
an interim Sub-Inspector that inspected frames. Lewis Draper’s small “L.D” inspection initials are on
bottom of the frame above the serial number, and John T. Cleveland’s small “J.T.C.” sub-inspection initials
are stamped on the underside of the barrel, side of the cylinder and on the right butt of the grip. “P”
proofmarks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and side of the cylinder. Matching visible serial
numbers are on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, back strap, barrel, and cylinder, with assembly
number “4479” on the loading gate. The left side of the grip is dated “1876” above an oval bordered
script letter “DAL” cartouche of David A. Lyle, and the right side of the grip has John T. Cleveland’s script
letter “JTC” cartouche. Period hand carved initials that appear to read “JCCA” are on the butt
of the back strap.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains traces of original blue finish around the ejector housing
and in some protected areas, patterns of original case colors on the hammer, exhibiting
mostly natural brown and gray patina with freckling, some minor pitting, and defined
markings and edges in the metal overall. Grip is fine, with attractive grain, distinct edges, a
few minor handling marks, tight fitment, and defined cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Herb Glass Jr; The Pelton Family Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000