These Colt "Artillery Model" Single Action Army revolvers were brought back into service during the Spanish-American War, Filipino-American War, and Moro Rebellion. Though nicknamed "Artillery Models", they were actually issued to a variety of U.S. Army units and particularly known to have been favored for use against the Moro warriors who were known to continue fighting after being shot with the weaker .38 caliber Colt double action revolvers also in use. In the accompanying silver seal letter of authentication from noted Colt expert and author John Kopec, he mentions this revolver is new to his survey falling between nos. 133531 (a N.Y. militia revolver) and 133533 (a Cavalry revolver), and states, "The procedures that this revolver had taken vary considerably from those we usually encounter with the Artillery revolvers. After being shipped to the Springfield Armory from Colt's [1890], and packed within a 'shipping crate' holding 50 revolvers, this revolver remained unpacked at the armory along with a lot of five other shipping crates, each totaling 300 revolvers. Ten additional brand-new revolvers were also included within this group and remained in storage until 1898 (eight years after manufacture). Then after all the Cavalry revolvers then in service had been recalled during 1893, and at the outset of the Spanish-American War in 1898, a large lot of over 16,000 of these former Cavalry revolvers were refurbished at the Springfield Armory. At this juncture, all revolvers were dismantled, parts cleaned and barrels shortened to the 5 1/2" length and front sights repositioned. These revolvers [not including this example] were then reassembled without attention being paid to keeping their serial numbers matching. These revolvers were not refinished during this procedure. During this huge undertaking at the Springfield Armory, six shipping-crates of brand-new revolvers, plus ten additional new revolvers amounting to 310 examples were presented to the armory workers to be altered into the Artillery configuration. These workers questioned the feasibility of altering these brand-new revolvers. The commanding officer in charge quickly replied; 'Cut the barrels'. It is the opinion of this writer that our subject revolver #133532 was among these brand-new Cavalry revolvers to receive this order. Our subject revolver was then placed into service during the Spanish American War." and later in the letter in his detailed observations of this revolver states, "This revolver's finish remains as-applied during 1890." Unlike most Artillery models encountered with all mixed serial numbered components, this example retains matching visible serial numbers on its arsenal shortened barrel, frame, trigger guard, butt and cylinder. The arsenal replacement grip is hand numbered "6854" in the mortise. The ejector does not have an inspection mark, indicating it was replaced during the 1898 arsenal modification. The "RAC" inspected frame has the three-line patent dates marking followed by "U.S" on the left. Ordnance sub-inspector Rinaldo A. Carr's "RAC" initials are stamped on the frame, barrel, cylinder, and the bottom of the grip. Includes an arsenal altered/shortened "US" embossed Rock Island Arsenal M1881 leather holster for use during the Spanish-American War.

Exceptionally fine as modified, retaining 80% plus original blue finish, with a patch of moderate pitting visible on top of the barrel obstructing the first part of the address with otherwise sharp markings and edges in the metal overall, moderate cylinder drag line, 50% plus original case colors on the frame and hammer, and some light handling marks. The grip is fine with some light chips and wear along the lower edges, some scattered light scratches and dings, and crisp stamping on bottom. Mechanically excellent. Included holster is very good with some light wear and an absent plug on bottom.