Colt Single Action Artillery Model revolver with authentication letter from Colt Single Action expert John A. Kopec. The Kopec letter states that the revolver frame was manufactured in 1880 and inspected by Lt. David M. Lyle and Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark. (D.F.C.) The revolver was refurbished by Colt for the Army in 1903 and fitted with a Colt replacement barrel. The cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap are Colt Single Action Cavalry Model components with mixed serial numbers. The revolver barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap have the high polish civilian style charcoal blue finish applied to military Single Action revolvers overhauled by Colt in 1903. The frame and loading gate have a distinctive slate gray casehardened finish. Kopec discusses this finish in the letter and states that because the "U.S." property mark on the frame shows no sign of being polished the frame may have been in new condition when refurbished and was re-case colored over the existing finish which produced the slate gray color. The hammer has the typical Colt case colors. The revolver has a one-piece oil finished walnut grip. The right side of the grip is stamped with the script initials of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Rinaldo A. Carr (RAC) in a rectangle. Small "R.A.C." sub-inspector marks are stamped on both grip heels. The top of the barrel is roll stamped with the legend "COLT'S PT. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in a single line. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a "P' proofmark. The left side of the frame is roll stamped with the Colt three line, three patent dates followed by the "U.S." property mark. The bottom of the frame is stamped with the Ordnance Sub-Inspector's initials "D.F.C.) above the serial number "54988". The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "228". The side of the cylinder is stamped with a "P" proof mark and the partial serial number "0057". The trigger guard is serial numbered "33480" and the backstrap is numbered "31/047". The Kopec letter states that both these serial numbers were re-stamped by Colt during the overhaul.

Excellent. The revolver retains 97% of the blue and casehardened finish applied by Colt during the 1903 overhaul and shows only very minor storage wear. The Kopec letter states that the blue finish is in "remarkable condition". The frame and loading gate show almost no finish wear. The hammer retains 98% of the vivid case colors. The barrel markings are crisp. The grip is excellent and the sides show almost no handling wear although the "RAC" final inspection mark on the right side of the grip is lightly stamped. There are a number of shallow dents on the bottom of the grip but the Ordnance sub-inspection marks remain crisp. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. This is an exceptional example of a U.S. contract Colt Single Action Artillery Model revolver as overhauled by Colt in 1903 for issue to U.S. troops fighting in the Philippine Insurrection.