Manufactured in 1890, this is a solid representative example of a rare "pre-1895" New York State Militia issued U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army. These New York issued Cavalry Models were the exact same model as those issued to cavalry units serving on the Western Frontier and made legendary by the gunslingers and lawmen of the Wild West. According to Kopec and Fenn on p. 127-129 of "Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers: A Continuing Study...", there were only 420 standard configuration Cavalry Model revolvers issued to the New York Militia, all prior to 1895. The authors note than many of those original 420 revolvers were refurbished and altered to Artillery Models, before being subsequently reissued in a lot of 800 revolvers back to New York in 1895. It is unknown how many of the "Pre-1895" New York revolvers remain in their Cavalry configuration with all matching serialized parts, but the number is certainly small. The barrel is marked with the standard one-line address, while the three-line patent dates followed by "U.S." is on the left of the frame. "R.A.C." Rinaldo A. Carr inspector marks are on the frame, cylinder, barrel, and bottom of the grip, with "K" inspector's markings on the butt and trigger guard. Matching serial numbers are on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder ("3930"), and barrel ("3930"). The left side of the grip is stamped "1890" and has an "LEB" cartouche, while the right has an "RAC" cartouche, "2/N.Y." in crossed pennants, and "56", all markings of the 2nd Brigade Signal Corp of the New York State Militia as detailed on p. 136 of the previously mentioned book. Additional markings on the butt include "2/SC/56", also signal corps markings. The revolver otherwise has standard features and remains in its cavalry model configuration, making it an incredibly scarce variation of U.S. Single Action Army revolver.

Fine, retains 95% plus of the period refinished blue overall with some light edge wear, scattered light handling marks, and the markings remaining crisp, having the look of a well-traveled Peacemaker. The grip is very fine with some scattered minor handling marks and chips, and most of the U.S. and New York markings remaining crisp. Mechanically excellent. An opportunity to add a rare U.S. Single Action Army variation to your collection!