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LOT 3173
Fine Rinaldo A. Carr Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with Scarce
New York Militia Signal Corps Markings - Serial no. 136974, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is a fine example of an 1891 production U.S. contract Colt Cavalry
Model Single Action Army revolver that was inspected by Rinaldo A. Carr as part of the final Ordnance contract
for 2,000 revolvers, and has scarce markings indicating it was issued to the 2nd Brigade Signal Corps of the New
York Militia. This desirable Cavalry Model revolver escaped the 1895 rebuild, and retains its original 7 1/2 inch barrel
length. The bottom of the back strap is stamped with New York Militia rack number markings that read “2/SC/35”
(2nd Brigade Signal Corps, rack number 35), and the right side of the grip is stamped with Signal Corps insignia
consisting of crossed signal flags with “2” above the flags and “NY” below them, with the rack number “35” stamped
below the insignia. Identical type markings on another revolver with serial number 132501 are pictured on page
132 of “Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers” by Kopec and Fenn. Single Action Army revolvers with New York Signal Corps markings stamped
on the grips are seldom encountered; Kopec and Fenn identified four revolvers by serial number with these markings (this revolver is not
one of the four) and the highest rack number listed is “53” as pictured. Rinaldo A. Carr was listed as the principal sub-inspector of the War
Department, Ordnance Office, in which he performed the physical inspection of approximately 4,000 U.S. issued Cavalry revolvers between
1889-1891 in the recorded serial range between 130438 through 140361, with Captain Stanhope E. Blunt,
inspector for the Ordnance Department, in charge of receiving all these revolvers, per information on page 253
of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver: A Thirty Year Anniversary Edition” by Graham, Kopec, and
Moore. This revolver has the Colt military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and
back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer have casehardened finish and the one-piece walnut grip is oil
finished. It has the oval ejector housing and the cavalry type hammer with elongated, bordered, knurling on
the spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line address “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT.
U.S.A.-”. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the three-date/two-line patent markings found only on late
production “R.A.C.” sub-inspected revolvers, followed by the “U.S” property mark. The Sub-Inspector’s initials, “R.A.C.”
are stamped on the underside of the barrel, the bottom of the frame above the serial number, on the side of the cylinder and on the left heel
of the grip. A “K” Colt sub-inspection mark is stamped on the trigger guard, back strap, front of the ejector housing and on the barrel behind the
ejector housing stud. “P” proof marks on the underside of the barrel and side of the cylinder. Matching visible full serial number “136974” stamped
on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap, with partial matching serial number “6974” on the barrel beneath the ejector housing
and side of the cylinder. Assembly number “281” on the loading gate. The left side of the grip has the “1891” date above the bordered script letter
“SEB” inspection cartouche of Captain Stanhope E. Blunt, and the right has Rinaldo A. Carr’s “RAC” cartouche below the Signal Corps markings.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus original blue finish, strong traces of case colors in protected areas with mottled plum patina on the exposed surfaces,
the barrel shows correct “feathered” polishing marks on either side of the front sight blade, with some holster type wear and brown/gray patina on the balance, and the markings on the
barrel, frame, cylinder and trigger guard are sharp. Grip is very good, with defined edges, handling marks, and legible stampings. Mechanically excellent. This is an attractive example of a
late production U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver with scarce New York Militia Signal Corps markings!
Estimate: 8,500 - 14,000
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