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. The revolver has mixed numbers and components typical of the Artillery variants, including a Lot 2 trigger guard ("2085") sub-inspected by Ainsworth. The frame is numbered "113437" which dates to 1884. The back strap ("116411") dates to 1885. The "DFC" inspected frame has the three-line patent dates marking followed by "US" on the left side. A "P" proof and a faint "C" initial for sub-inspector A.P. Casey are stamped on the underside of the barrel along with a partial serial number "923." Many of the Casey sub-inspected revolvers are found in the 18000 serial number range and include the revolvers issued to the reorganized 7th Cavalry three months after the disastrous Battle of Little Bighorn. Ordnance sub-inspector Rinaldo A. Carr's "RAC" is stamped on the cylinder, and the bottom of the grip. The right side of the grip has the date "1903" along with a "RAC" script letter cartouche. The included factory letter states the revolver was sent to the U.S. Government inspector at the Colt plant on December 17, 1884, returned to the factory for Artillery Model refurbishment, and was shipped to the Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, on May 18, 1903 as part of a 500 gun delivery. In his accompanying gold seal letter of authentication, noted Colt expert and author John Kopec states the revolver is new to his survey falling between nos. 113424 (Artillery Model) and 113439 (Cavalry Model) and notes the Ainsworth inspected trigger guard, Casey inspected barrel, and excellent grip cartouche.

Fine as Colt factory refurbished with 70% of the blue finish remaining and 40% case colors on the frame and hammer with smooth gray patina on the balance and a few areas of cleaned pitting. The grip is very fine with some high edge wear, slight chip at the toe (left side), some minor handling marks, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.