U.S. contract Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver overhauled and rebuilt to "Artillery" configuration by Colt in 1903. This revolver is accompanied by a detailed evaluation by Single Action expert John A. Kopec. The Kopec letter states that this revolver was manufactured in 1888 and inspected by Capt. John G. Butler and Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark. The letter further states this revolver was one of 229 pistols issued to Railway Mail Service in 1888 to arm Railway postal clerks. These revolvers were returned to Springfield Armory in 1890. The revolver was subsequently sent to Colt for overhaul and alteration to artillery configuration with 5 1/2 inch barrel. This revolver has the usual combination of mixed serial numbers found on pistols overhauled by Colt between 1900 and 1903. The bottom of the frame is serial numbered "120067" and stamped with a "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "Three-Line/Three-Date" patent markings followed by a "U.S." property mark. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a very faint, incomplete serial number "0-33", a "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark and two small "P" proofmarks. The barrel address was re-rolled during overhaul. The cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "--10" and a "J" sub-inspection mark. The Kopec letter states that the cylinder was manufactured in 1875 and sub-inspected by W.W. Johnson. The trigger guard is serial numbered "54099", and the back strap is serial numbered "70983". The revolver grip was replaced during the 1903 overhaul. The bottom of both grip heels are stamped with a "R.A.C." sub-inspection mark. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the date "1903" above the script initials "RAC" enclosed in a rectangle with rounded ends. A cattle brand "X-X" is neatly carved on the bottom of both grip heels. The revolver has a cavalry style hammer with elongated, bordered knurling on the spur and late, oval ejector rod head. The barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard, and back strap have the commercial blue finish used by Colt during the 1900-1903 overhaul, and the frame, hammer and loading gate are color casehardened.

Very fine. The Kopec letter describes this revolver as "an excellent example of a 1903 Colt factory refurbished Artillery revolver". The revolver retains 80% of the blue and 70% casehardened finish from the 1903 alteration and overhaul. There is high point wear on the barrel and ejector housing, and the finish on the cylinder, trigger guard, and back strap is thin. The frame, hammer, and loading gate retain nearly all of the casehardened finish with strong case colors. All of the markings and serial numbers are crisp. The grip is in excellent condition with extremely sharp date and "R.A.C." sub-inspection marks. The action is tight and functions fine.