It has the mixed serial numbers common to the revolvers altered to "artillery" configuration from "cavalry" configuration. During the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War, Artillery revolvers were issued to the infantry, light artillery, cavalry, and other units after the .38 caliber Colt Model 1892 double action revolvers proved to have insufficient stopping power. Theodore Roosevelt's 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, better known as the Rough Riders, were carrying Artillery revolvers when they charged San Juan Hill. The serial number on the frame dates to the second year of Single Action Army production: 1874. It has the standard blade and frame groove sights, the one-line italic address on the top of the barrel flanked by maltese crosses, the early two-line patent marking followed by "U.S." on the left side of the frame, and various single letter inspection marks. The ejector has the later style dished head. The walnut grip has been carved with "CAPT J S FAIR" on the left and "CO E 43D USV." on the right in relief accented by lines and triangles. The included research binder provides many details on Captain Fair's life including insights from his sons and an article manuscript by D. L. Durden and T. H. Sikes. John S. Fair was a First Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Fifth Infantry Regiment and the Adjutant, Mustering Officer during the Spanish-American War. He resigned as a captain from that unit on September 8, 1899, to join the U.S. Volunteers and is listed as a captain in the Forty-Third Infantry and fought in the Filipino-American War. He was born in Dakota County, Nebraska, and was a resident of Altoona, Pennsylvania, when the Spanish-American War broke out. He was in the Philippines from November 16, 1899, to June 27, 1901. He was honorably discharged in San Francisco. One report from an officer in the unit indicated that nearly every Filipino the Forty-Third met was a foe, but by the time they left they had made many friends of the locals. General Orders No. 13 state: "It gives the district commander much pleasure to publish the following for the information of all concerned. That the Forty-Third Infantry has earned high praise from the department commander for its services in the Philippines ever be a source of great gratification to every member of the regiment." Fair then returned and served with the 9th Cavalry from 1901 to 1910. They were the only African American unit in the Army at the time, and Fair's son recalled serving with them was his most enjoyable tour. The article discusses the origin of the "kill notches" on the butt. Three "Insurrectos" were killed during an encounter in a clearing after Fair's point man fell into a tiger pit (pit with Punji sticks), and three more Filipino warriors were killed by Fair by the time he left the Philippines. He was also sent to Japan and Korea on a spying mission for the Army to evaluate Japan's attempts to seize Korea. Fair is later listed as Quarter Master for the U.S. Army at Washington, D.C. during WWI and held the rank of major in the Quarter Master Corps and received the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1920, he is listed as having been promoted to lieutenant colonel. He retired as a colonel in 1936 and died in 1950. He at one time served as the senior instructor for the Pennsylvania National Guard Cavalry. The revolver was passed from Fair to his son David and then to his other son John before being sold to Tampa Gun Traders & Pawn in 1974, then to Ronald K. Cacciatore, then to Dennis L. Durden, and now our auction. In his letter, John Kopec notes that the frame is from the first year of production and refers to this revolver as: "truly a significant find."

Good. The revolver has an honest mix of gray and brown patina and some patches of faint pitting. The attractive, period relief carved grip and the markings are clear throughout. A very historic, undoubtedly authentic Colt Artillery SAA!