This is an exceptional documented example of a U.S. Colt Artillery Model 1873 Revolver with desirable matching serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The revolver was delivered to the U.S. Government on December 3, 1885. In the included Kopec gold seal letter, Kopec explains, "The near absence of closely related examples in the Archives records suggests that this revolver had originally (while in its Cavalry configuration) been issued to one of the state militia regiments. There were 378 revolvers issued to states during 1885." Although the revolver was among the Cavalry Models shipped back to Colt in 1902 for Artillery Model refurbishment, "no. 116739 remains with its original 1885 applied blued and case-colored finish," as it was among revolvers that "remained in nearly brand new condition so there was no reason for them to be refurbished." Kopec notes that only Colt 1902 modifications on this revolver were the shortened barrel and new cylinder. The revolver was originally inspected by David F. Clark (DFC), the primary Army Ordnance sub-inspector at Colt from 1880-87. The letter further states the revolver was subsequently returned to Colt for refurbishing and conversion to 'Artillery Model' configuration with 5 1/2-inch barrel and was shipped to Springfield Armory on January 29, 1902. Colt refurbished 5,444 M1873 Artillery and Cavalry revolvers between 1900 and 1903; most of these revolvers were intended for issue to troops in the Philippines as replacements for the Colt M1894 DA Revolvers. This revolver is rare because it retains the original barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap; the cylinder is a un-numbered replacement, stamped "R.A.C." on the rear face and installed by Colt during refurbishment. Nearly all of the M1873 Revolvers overhauled by Colt from 1900-03 have components with most or all of the serial numbers mismatched-matched. The grips were refinished during overhaul and the bottom of the left butt is stamped with the small "R.A.C." inspection mark. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a "P" proof-mark perpendicular to the bore followed by a "P" parallel to the bore and the sub-inspector's "D.F.C." initials. "D.F.C." is stamped on the frame above the serial number. The small "G" found on Colt M1873 Revolvers in the 116656-116931 serial number range is present on the trigger guard and back strap below the serial number. The left side of the frame is stamped "U.S." behind the 'three-date/three-line' patent markings. The top of the back strap directly behind the hammer is stamped with a large "21" rack number that indicates the revolver was originally issued to a state militia unit prior to refurbishment. The top of the barrel has the standard Colt elongated block Hartford address. The ejector housing is correctly not serial numbered and the ejector rod head is the late oval pattern fitted to most Artillery Model Revolvers. The hammer is a civilian pattern with fine knurling on the spur and concave firing pin; the hammer appears to be a commercial replacement fitted by Colt during refurbishment.

Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 80% plus of the factory high polish blue finish on the cylinder, barrel and ejector housing. The 'feathered' polishing marks on either side of the front sight are clear. There is some minor holster wear on the front edges of the muzzle and ejector housing. Kopec noted the ejector spring is a replacement. The cylinder has a slight drag line and scattered minor scratches. The trigger guard has 90% of the finish with some thinning on either side of the trigger slot and grip area and a dark patch of surface oxidation visible on the top of the bow. The back strap has 90% plus of the blue finish with some thinning. The frame has 85% of the case colors with some slight silvering on the top strap and recoil shield. The case colors are vivid in protected areas and strong overall. The hammer has 98% of the vivid case colors present. The grips were re-oiled during refurbishment and the original inspector's and sub-inspector's marks are no longer visible; the grips fit perfectly and are in very fine condition with a crisp "R.A.C." stamp on the left side of the butt. Mechanically excellent The revolver appears to have not been issued after Colt refurbishment and is an exceptional Colt Artillery Model rarely encountered with matching barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap.