Rock Island Auction Company is proud to offer this early U.S. Cavalry Colt Single Action Army, that was manufactured in the second year of production in 1874 under contract with the U.S. government, and falls in the accepted serial range of other known issued revolvers in either the 2nd Cavalry or Custer's 7th Cavalry. This revolver escaped the Ordnance Department recall in 1893 and remains in original Cavalry configuration. It has unmistakable character associated with its discovery in the ground on a remote southeastern Wyoming ranch near Fort Laramie sometime between 1890-1910; an active area with more than a handful of known Indian Wars skirmishes during the time of this revolver's service. The included letter of authenticity from noted Colt Single Action Army authority John A. Kopec describes the features and condition of this revolver, and states, "This revolver #6439 was a new listing to our survey and falls between two other Cavalry revolvers ie #6437 and #6442 in this data-base. This revolver was manufactured during 1874 and was ordnance sub-inspected by O.W. Ainsworth (A). Historically, we could not locate this revolver's serial number in the National Archives records available to us. We do however find that the revolver #6413 is listed in these records as belonging to 'Co H, 2nd Cavalry' as of June 11, 1874. Several other Second Cavalry revolvers are also listed in these records from within the 6000 serial number range. A few of these include; #6028, #6046, #6177, #6195, #6198, #6242 and #6667. The rather large serial number span that these references appear to indicate, only serves to illustrate the fact that these revolvers were well mixed by serial number prior to their issue to these regiments. The Second Cavalry association with our subject revolver #6439 cannot therefore be underestimated. Because the family history of this revolver serves to pinpoint the exact location (Laramie River) where this revolver was found, we have checked our references to see which Cavalry unit might have served in this area during the Indian Wars. Fort Laramie was possibly the nearest outpost to where this revolver was found. The following Second Cavalry skirmishes against the hostile Indians are recorded; 1. Feb. 9, 1874; Cottonwood Creek, Wyo. (prior to mfg. of #6439) 2. July 9, 1874; Rattlesnake Hills, Wyo. 3. July 1, 1875; Little Popo Agie River, Wyo, 4. June 9, 1876; Tongue River, Wyo. 5. Oct, 14, 1876; Chugwater or Richard Creek, Wyo, 6. Nov. 25-26, 1876; Bates Creek, Near Powder River, Wyo. Other Wyoming battlefield areas were serviced by the 3rd Cavalry and 5th Infantry, and most 2nd Cavalry activity in this area seemed to diminish after the Bates Creek and Powder River incidents. The proximity of the area where our subject revolver was found, together with these recorded Second Cavalry skirmishes occurring at these sites could point to this revolver being a Second Cavalry issue. Because we realize that these revolvers were mixed by serial number when originally issued, we can only surmise that the crates of fifty revolvers as packaged by Colt's immediately after final inspection were packed randomly within this general serial range. In other words, these revolvers with higher serial numbers could not have been packaged with earlier production examples. Therefore, a general line of demarcation could be established by the probable date of manufacture. Because our subject revolver bears a serial number (#6439) which fits within Lot Six (#5505-#6516) in this study, we will explore the possibility of its also being a Seventh Cavalry issued example. Lot Six was one of the 'Prime' lots from which those revolvers which had been issued to the Seventh Cavalry were drawn. These revolvers were issued to Custer's troops just prior to their departure into the Black Hills on July 2nd 1874. In checking with our data-base and our book 'Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers' (page 280) we find the following referenced Seventh Cavalry examples; 1. #6269; located at the site of Sitting Bull's camp, Saskatchewan, Canada, circa 1959. 2. #6450; a cylinder recovered near the Custer Battlefield, circa 1978. [This revolver, bearing serial number 6439, is only 11 numbers away] 3. #6559, a documented 'Rendered unserviceable at the Little Bighorn, circa 1876' example. There is no question that the serial number of our subject revolver falls within the accepted 'Custer serial range'. Because records are so sparse, we can only draw on these few examples to attempt to associate our subject revolver with the Seventh Cavalry, but this certainly remains a distinct possibility. In looking over this interesting revolver we find that it does remain in 'near relic' condition, attesting to the report of its years of exposure to a harsh environment. Thankfully, it has not been appreciably cleaned! The base-pin (cylinder-pin) and several screws appear to have been replaced. The condition of the grips reflect the effects of being exposed to the weather for several years. These grips are correctly serial numbered within the back strap channel. All original markings remain correct and distinct. Areas of mild rust were found throughout this revolver, attesting to its exposure to the elements." The included 2010 dated affidavit states, "I, Helen K. Wilkinson, being of lawful age and being duly sworn on oath according to law, depose and say as follows: 1. I was married to George L. Wilkinson and resided at the Wilkinson family ranch located in Platte County, Wyoming for a number of years... 2. I have in my possession a U.S. Cavalry 45 Colt pistol, serial# 6439. 3. It is my belief and understanding that this pistol was found on the ground about one-half mile north of the Laramie River on the Wilkinson family ranch property in Platte County, Wyoming. It was found by Mary Mullen Wilkinson while riding horseback sometime between 1890 and 1910. Mary Mullen Wilkinson was George L. Wilkinson's grandmother. This revolver has remained in the possession of the Wilkinson family since it was found." This revolver is featured in John Kopec's article "A Second Cavalry Treasure" in the Spring 2011 issue of the magazine "The Rampant Colt" with detailed information and research related to the vigorous skirmishes and battles of the Indian Wars occurring right in the vicinity of where this revolver was discovered. The article states, "Since the Wilkinson Ranch was located on the banks of the Laramie River some nine miles west of Wheatland, we had to assume that because Fort Laramie was the nearest post, that this revolver may have been lost by a Second Cavalry trooper from Fort Laramie while scouting the area during the Indian Wars... When we consider the amount of wear that this revolver's grips display, it could very well be that this revolver was not lost until it had served some 15 or 20 years with the Cavalry. Therefore, it could have been lost just prior to the Ordnance Department's recall of 1893. So, with that thought in mind, we surmise that it may have lain in the arid Wyoming wilderness another five or ten years before it was found by Mary Mullen Wilkinson." Orville W. Ainsworth's "A" inspection stamp can be found below the serial number on the trigger guard, on the bottom of the barrel, on the cylinder, and top of the back strap. The cylinder and barrel also bear a "P" proof mark along with the aforementioned sub-inspection mark. The revolver features blade front and notch rear sights, bullseye ejector, and one piece walnut grip. All of the visible serial numbers match. The barrel is marked with "+COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.+" on top and matching numbered "6439" under the ejector housing. All of the visible serial numbers match. Properly hand-written matching number "6439" in black ink in the rear mortise of the grip. The frame of the revolver features the two line patent marking followed by "U.S." Includes a binder containing John Kopec's compiled research documents, a copy of the Rampant Colt article, the affidavit, and extensive documentation and photographs related to the family ranch it was found on. Provenance: The John A. Kopec Collection

Very good plus with a healthy dose of attractive Wyoming mottled gray and brown patina, some marring on the edges of the cylinder flutes, some light pitting, and defined markings. Grip is good as warped from exposure to the Wyoming heat with some general wear, handling marks, and a mild scratch on the left panel. Mechanically fine. This Wyoming recovered U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry revolver is full of character that embodies the spirit of the American West, and is accompanied by impeccable documentation that distinguishes it as a true American treasure!