Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
  • Auction Catalog #85
  • Lot #191
Lot #190
Lot #192

Lot 191: U.S. Cavalry Model Colt SAA Revolver

Extraordinarily Fine U.S. David F. Clark Sub-Inspected Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Kopec Gold Seal Letter

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 13, 2022

Lot 191: U.S. Cavalry Model Colt SAA Revolver

Extraordinarily Fine U.S. David F. Clark Sub-Inspected Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Kopec Gold Seal Letter

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 13, 2022

Estimated Price: $55,000 - $75,000
Price Realized:
Login to view
Login to view

Extraordinarily Fine U.S. David F. Clark Sub-Inspected Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Kopec Gold Seal Letter

Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Type: Revolver
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Barrel: 7 1/2 inch round
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grip: walnut
Stock:
Item Views: 4816
Item Interest: Very Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 137
Class: Antique
Description:

This incredible U.S. contract Colt Single Action Army has defied the odds and survived nearly a century and a half in excellent condition and certainly is in the top 1% of Colt Cavalry Model revolvers. Noted Colt Single Action authority John A. Kopec gave this revolver his gold seal with ribbon in the included authentication letter. The gold seal represents "a revolver which is found to be authentic in every respect, regardless of the percent of original finish remaining...This revolver is one which the writer feels would qualify being in his own personal collection: one for which 'no excuses' would ever be required. Few surviving examples will qualify for this distinction." The very rarely awarded ribbons represent an even higher grade, the best of the best. In the letter he writes that, "Historically, there would be no point to attempt to pin-point an area of service for this revolver because it is this writer's opinion that this revolver had never been issued, but was in fact sold directly to a private individual as surplus from the Springfield Armory during the 1920s. During the past 102 years this revolver has been protected and never fired by some very thoughtful individuals." He also notes that it falls between 119054 and 119064 in their database and was manufactured in January of 1887 and shipped c. January 18, 1887. It was inspected by Captain John G. Butler. "His prominent un-circled initials appear on the left grip panel and remain in perfect condition under the year-date '1887'. The Ordnance-Sub-Inspector during the entire 1880s period was David F. Clark. His cartouche is located on the lower right grip and his initials 'DFC' may be found on the frame, barrel, cylinder and left butt of this fine revolver." Kopec notes that this revolver was not dismantled in any way nor cocked during the examination because of the extraordinary high condition of this revolver. This U.S. contract "Cavalry Model" revolver is one of the earliest inspected by Butler given other known examples and the range estimated in "Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers... a Continuing Study" by Kopec and Fenn. The authors in the former text also note that only Butler used an acceptance stamp without a border, and Kopec calls the exceptional cartouche on this revolver "text-book" in his letter. Given the revolver escaped being altered to "Artillery" configuration and remains in exceptionally high condition, it was likely issued to a state militia/national guard unit or stowed away somewhere at Springfield Armory and remained safely confined for many years. As Kopec noted, it appears to have remained unfired since leaving the factory. The barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap have the Colt military blue finish. The screws and trigger are a fiery niter blue. The frame, hammer and loading gate are color casehardened. The one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The revolver has the later smaller "dished" ejector rod button, and the early "black powder" frame with a screw securing the arbor pin. The "U.S." property mark is stamped on the left side of the frame behind the three-line, three-date patent marking. A small block "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel, bottom of the frame above the serial number, side of the cylinder, and on the left side of the grip on the butt. "P" proofmarks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and side of the cylinder. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the year "1887" above the script "JGB" final inspection mark. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the script "DFC" sub-inspector's mark. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The assembly number "97" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The full serial number is visible on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The partial serial number "9063" is stamped on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. Given the exceptional condition of the revolver, including the screws, we did not risk disassembling the revolver to inspect the barrel under the ejector housing or the grip under the grip strap, but we would expect to find matching numbers in these hidden areas.

Rating Definition:

Excellent. This revolver exhibits only the slightest handling and storage related wear and retains 95% plus original blue and 90% plus fiery original casehardened finish and has some scattered minor marks, very slight rotation marks, some dried storage grease, and what looks to be very light surface freckling from some light oxidation that Kopec noted may just be more congealed oil. The "feathering" by the front sight remains strong, and the muzzle remains bright. The grip is also excellent and has distinct markings, a few minor dings, and light lower edge wear. Mechanically excellent. This revolver is certainly one of the finest original "Cavalry Model" Colt Single Action Army revolvers and would be difficult to improve upon.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #537: Vicente Arizmendi Single Action Army Revolver with NRA Letter

    Lot #1284: Colt Third Generation Single Action Army Revolver

    Lot #1280: Colt Second Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Case

    Lot #600: U.S. Civil War Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver with Factory Letter

    Lot #506: Colt Bisley Model Single Action Army Revolver in .44 Russian

    Lot #1393: Colt Wyoming Centennial Single Action Army Revolver