Originally a Cavalry Model, this revolver was refurbished by Colt to Artillery Model 1903. These arms 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 Ainsworth era frame (6480) dates to 1874 and falls in the Lot 6 serial number range (5505-6516) of 1,000 Cavalry Models issued to the 2nd, 5th, and 7th Cavalries. Cavalry Model revolvers are know to have been carried by Custer's 7th Cavalry at the Battle of Little Bighorn. The Battle of the Little Bighorn occurred on June 25-26, 1876, during the Great Sioux War of 1876 (aka the Black Hills War). The "Battle of the Greasy Grass" as it was known to Native Americans, was one of the greatest battlefield victories in Native American history and one of the worst defeats in U.S. history, and also became famously referred to as "Custer's Last Stand" in which Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer was killed along with every soldier of the five companies he led. The back strap (7261) is also from the Ainsworth era. It falls into lot 7 serial number range (6517-7527). These Cavalry Models were mostly issued to the Third Cavalry with a few late issues received by the 7th Cavalry. The trigger guard (131261) falls in the range of Cavalry Models sub-inspected by Rinaldo A. Carr and dates to 1890. The rear face of the cylinder has Rinaldo A. Carr's "RAC" sub-inspector initials. These initials are repeated twice on the butt of the grip. Two "P" proofs are stamped on the barrel. The right side of the grip has the refurbishment date "1903" above a script letter "RAC" cartouche. The barrel has the serial number "7014." The left side of the frame carries the two-line patent dates followed by "U.S." The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address. Provenance: The Thomas Whiteman Collection

Fine as Colt factory refurbished to Artillery Model configuration, retains 60% of the blue finish and 50% of the case colors with smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. The grip is also fine with edge wear, minor handling marks, and legible date and cartouche. Mechanically excellent.