The Rough Riders, officially the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, are the most famous of all U.S. units from the Spanish-American War and were formed by Theodore Roosevelt after he resigned as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. The men were an eclectic bunch from around the country including athletes, wealthy gentlemen, Native Americans, cowboys, frontiersmen, professional hunters, working professionals, and lawmen, especially those in the American Southwest at the outbreak of the war. They are especially remembered for charging up Kettle Hill (Battle of San Juan Hill) on July 1, 1898, under Roosevelt's command. The Springfield Research Service letter lists this revolver as "issued to Trooper Joseph B. Crockett, Troop I, 1st USV Cavalry ('Rough Riders'). Trooper Crockett was described as 28 years of age, height 5' 7 1/2", dark complexion, and having brown eyes and dark hair. He was born in Logansport, Indiana and was a railroad man before enrolling in the Rough Riders at Santa Fe, N. M. on May 5, 1898. He was originally enrolled in Troop G; however, on May 12, he was transferred to Troop I. He is listed on the Company Muster-Out Roll at Camp Wickoff, L. I., on Sept. 15, 1898; he is listed again with Troop G. Chief Researcher Franklin B. Mallory also notes that this revolver is listed within an article on the Rough Rider revolvers in the March/April 1989 issue of "Man at Arms" magazine. Theodore Roosevelt's book "The Rough Riders" also confirms Crockett's transfer to Troop I and lists him as from Topeka, Kansas. Joseph Burton Crockett (1869-1926) returned to Topeka following the Spanish-American War and was buried in Leavenworth National Cemetery. His father, Lieutenant William Henry Crockett, was a Civil War veteran from Indiana , a railroad man after the war, and was reported by descendants to have been serving as a scout for Custer and was carrying a message for him during the Battle of Little Bighorn. The revolver has the mixed serial numbers typical of the "Artillery Model" revolvers. The frame dates to 1883 and has a "D.F.C." inspection mark by the serial number, the three-line patent marking followed by "U.S." on the left side, a "U" stamped on the back to the left of the hammer, and the assembly number "125" on the loading gate. The barrel has a "+COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT, U.S.A.+" on top, "A/P" on the bottom ahead of the cylinder pin, and serial number "0857" under the ejector which has the bull's-eye tip. The cylinder has serial number "5682" on the side and an "A" inspection mark. The trigger guard has serial number "71084" and a "G" inspection mark, and the back strap has serial number "94515" and another "G" inspection mark. The grip has "R.A.C." inspection marks on the butt on each side of the back strap. The black leather holster rig includes a military style flap holster for a "Cavalry Model" Single Action, a cartridge box, a belt with what appears to be "F.K." and an unclear maker's marked ending in "LAND" as well as a brass "US" buckle. The spurs are brass and have "R.I.A./1903" markings and black leather straps.

The revolver is good and has mostly silver-gray patina throughout, some finish in the protected areas such as under the ejector housing, light pitting, mostly distinct markings, and mild overall wear. The reoiled, remarked (both "R.A.C." inspectors stamps on butt) grip is also good and has light dings and scratches, minor edge wear, some tiny flakes at the edges, and distinct markings. Mechanically excellent. The accessories are fair and have moderate overall wear including dark patina on the brass, crackling and flaking of the leather, and some tearing. This is a historic U.S. Colt Single Action Artillery with its provenance, and its documented Rough Riders use makes it an important historical artifact and valuable addition to any collection.