In 1895 a number of U.S. Colt Cavalry Single Action Army Revolvers, like this one, were returned to the Colt factory where they were refurbished into Artillery Models, often with little regard to which gun the parts came from, resulting in a mix of serial numbers and markings. This particular revolver has the external matching serial number "55781" on the frame, trigger guard, cylinder and back strap. The barrel is numbered "96463". It is rather scarce to have all but one serial number matching on these artillery models. It bears the standard one-line address on top of the barrel, "P" marked on the bottom of the barrel, "D.F.C." marked on the underside of the frame, the two-line, three patent date marking on the left side of the frame followed by "U.S.," and "D.F.C." and "P" also marked on the cylinder. Standard blade front and frame notch rear sights and is fitted with the correct smooth one-piece walnut grip with "1880" stamped above a faint cartouche on the left side, faint cartouche on the right side, "RAC" stamped on the bottom right side and "MWS" carved into the bottom left side. The accompanying John Kopec gold seal letter takes special note of the fire blue hammer. "It is believed that because the preceding lot of N.Y. Militia revolvers were fitted with these 'fire-blue' hammers that a few 'extra' or left-over hammers from this initial contract were fitted randomly to these few 1896 Artillery revolvers. This feature becoming just another nice addition to this revolver," wrote Kopec. Kopec certifies the authenticity of this revolver, proclaiming, "Undoubtedly, this 1896 Artillery remains today as one of the finest examples of this scarce variant that this writer has observed for quite a while." The revolver was pictured and identified in Kopec's article "The Colt 1896 Artillery Revolver: An Endangered Species" published in the fall 2017 issue of The Texas Gun Collector.

Extremely fine as Colt factory refurbished in 1895. The revolver retains 75% blue finish with overall scattered minor spotting and areas faded to a brown patina. The frame retains 60% of the vivid case colors. The grip is fine with a couple of indentations visible on the bottom, some lower edge wear, and a few minor dings and handling marks. Unless noted above the markings are clear. Mechanically excellent.