The included factory letter lists this revolver in .45 caliber with a blue finish and indicates it was originally sold to the United States Government and delivered to the government inspector at the Colt plant on October 30, 1882, in a group of 200 revolvers. The letter further states that the revolver was returned to Colt for refurbishing including the replacement of worn parts, refinishing, and reassembly and then was reshipped to the Commanding Officer at Springfield Armory on April 17, 1903. As noted in "Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study" by Kopec and Fenn, Colt Single Action Army revolvers were refurbished and rebuilt between 1895 and 1903 for the U.S. government in different batches, including 5,444 "Artillery Models" refurbished in 1900-1903. Since being returned to Springfield, this revolver evidently saw fairly little use, but the "Artillery Model" revolvers as a larger group saw extensive use. They are historically significant as the revolvers date originally to the Indian Wars of the 1870s to 1890s on the western frontier, and many then saw use over seas as the U.S. flexed its military might abroad, including use by the Rough Riders under Theodore Roosevelt in Cuba. Use in multiple conflicts has left relatively few of these revolvers in high condition, making those like this one with considerable factory finish particularly desirable. As is typical for these revolvers, this revolver has a mixture of parts and inspector marks and was inspected after refurbishment by Rinaldo A. Carr. It has a blade front sight, the one-line barrel address, no caliber marking on the left, "R.A.C." and two "P" marks on the underside of the barrel at the breech, "bullseye" ejector button, the black powder frame with the three-line patent marking and "U.S." on the left, "D.F.C." and "82756" on the front of the frame, "113785" and "G" at the front of the trigger guard, "113023" and "G" on the butt, assembly number "369" on the loading gate, "9096" and "H.N." along with "P" on the side of the cylinder and "P" and "K" on the rear, "R.A.C." stamped on the butt of the grip to the left and right of the back strap, and "1903" over an "RAC" cartouche on the right side of the grip.

Exceptionally fine with 90% plus factory blue finish, 98% plus vivid case colors, some fading of the finish on the grip frame, light drag lines on the cylinder, and fairly minor storage marks. The grip is excellent and has a distinct cartouche and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. One of the finest examples of the U.S. Colt "Artillery Model" Single Action Army revolver that we have ever offered at auction!