Colt Single Action Army revolver manufactured in 1874. This early production revolver is accompanied by a 'California' pattern holster decorated with a five-pointed Texas star. The revolver and holster were the property of John Creaton (1857-1938). Creaton was the stepson of a cavalry officer who was stationed in west Texas during the early 1870s. The history that accompanies the revolver states that John Creaton was a scout for the 4th Cavalry in 1874 and that Creaton obtained this revolver during his service with the 4th Cavalry. Creaton and several other scouts located hidden Kiowa and Comanche campsites Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle. On September 28, 1874, the 4th Cavalry, led by Col. Ranald Mackenzie, launched a surprise attack on the Kiowa and Comanche camps. The attack captured the pony herd, dispersed the camps and forced the tribes to surrender to the Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. The Battle of Palo Duro Canyon ended the Red River War. John Creighton spent his life on the west Texas frontier near Ft. Griffin. Late in life, he wrote: "JOHN CREATON; AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY 1856-1832". The history states that John Creaton gave this revolver to his great nephew, Leroy Eolo, in 1938. The revolver is an early commercial production Single Action with high polish blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap. The frame, hammer and loading gate are color casehardened. The one-piece, walnut, grip has a varnish finish. The ejector housing is the first style with barrel boss and bulls-eye ejector rod head. The cylinder has small bolt stops and guides. The barrel is roll-stamped with the first style "script" address: "+COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG, Co, HARTFORD, CT, U.S.A.+" in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt 1871 and 1872 patent dates in the "Two-Date/Two-Line" format. "45 CAL" is stamped on the left shoulder of the trigger guard. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "110". A small "S" Colt inspection mark is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. A "C" and "L" inspection mark are stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. The full serial number, "14604" is stamped on frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The partial serial number "4604" is stamped on the barrel and cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver holster is the scarce "California" style that dates from the mid-1870s. The open-top holster is made of heavy, dark russet, skirting leather. It has the distinctive recurving throat profile, contour-fit body, riveted belt loop and sewn-in toe plug. A Texas, five-pointed, star is deeply branded on the upper body. The holster body retains the impression of a Colt Single Action Army ejector housing.

Fine. The revolver shows period service use but is completely original. 30% of the original high polish blue finish remains on protected areas of the barrel. ejector housing, cylinder flutes trigger guard and backstrap. The balance of the these components have a smooth silver-gray patina. The frame, loading gate and hammer retain 40% of the original case colors in protected areas. Flash pitting is limited to the face of the cylinder. Traces of the niter blue finish are visible on the trigger and frame screws. The barrel and frame markings are crisp. The bore is bright. The grip is in fine condition with 70% of the original varnish and no chips or cracks. Wear is limited to minor handling marks on the sides of the grip, some finish flaking on the right side and the edges of the butt and some small dents in the butt. The action is tight and functions perfectly. The scarce, California style, holster is in very good condition. The holster body and belt loop are smooth and generally free from cracks or flaking. The stitching on the seam and toe-plug is tight. The Lone Star on the holster body is deep and crisp. Wear is limited to some scuff marks on the holster body and some very minor cracking on the top of the belt loop. This is an outstanding, early, Texas Colt Single Action Army with original holster. This is historic revolver combines outstanding original condition with a solid history that links it to the Red River War, the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon and the West Texas Frontier.