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. The revolver has mixed numbers and components typical of the Artillery variants. The David F. Clark inspected frame ("55898") dates to 1880, while the trigger guard and back strap ("136326") date to 1891. The underside of the barrel is stamped twice with a "P" proof and is numbered "116741" and "5075" under the ejector housing. The cylinder is numbered "8379". The left side of the frame has the three-line patent marking followed by "US." The grip has very faint traces of a cartouche on the right side. The included factory letter confirms the original shipment of the frame to the U.S. government inspector at the Colt plant on 28 April 1880, and has additional notes that it was returned to the factory for refurbishment and reassembly in Artillery configuration and reshipped on 29 January 1902. Provenance: Richard Peters, USMC, Reserves Law Enforcement, a Gentleman

Fine, retains 40% of the factory refinished blue and 30% of the case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered small patches of light pitting. The sanded, refinished grip is very good showing abrasion marks, moderate wear from years of service and some scattered minor dings. Mechanically excellent.