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LOT 1233
Desirable Historic
Documented U.S. Artillery Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Pre-Custer
Battle Parts and Kopec Silver Seal Letter - Serial no. 4314, 45 LC cal., 5 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This Colt U.S. Contract Single Action Army revolver was manufactured in 1874 and refurbished by Colt to “Artillery” configuration with 5 1/2-inch
barrel. This revolver is accompanied by a silver seal “Letter of Authentication” by Colt Single Action
expert John A. Kopec. The letter describes the features and condition of this revolver, and the details of the
Colt “Artillery” alteration and refurbishment. In the letter, Kopec states how interesting and unusual it is for all the serialized parts of an Artillery to be manufactured in the same year. Being that all of the major components are
from 1874, they all would have been inspected by sub-inspector O. W. Ainsworth. 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
letter also comments on the fact that the revolver’s barrel address is still in near perfect condition. The revolver features blade front and notch rear
sights, bullseye ejector, and one piece walnut grip. The grip, Kopec states, was likely to have been pulled from a parts bin when the revolver was being rebuilt to artillery specifications due to their ill-fitting along the back strap and trigger guard and lack of cartouche. The frame of the revolver features the two-line, two-patent marking followed by “U.S.” As Kopec states, many of these revolvers went straight from being rebuilt to the troops
in the Philippines during the Philippine Insurrection.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 20% blue finish and faint traces of case colors with a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance with some
patches of light pitting and a few dents on the back strap. The grip is also good with a repair (right side), high edge wear, and some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. This artillery model Colt SAA is a historic timepiece!
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
LOT 1234
U.S. Rinaldo A. Carr Inspected Colt Cavalry
Model Single Action Army Revolver with Holster -
Serial no. 133088, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1890. The
revolver is one of the U.S. Colt Cavalry Model revolvers in the
serial number range 131187-140361 that were inspected by Ordnance
Sub-Inspector Rinaldo A. Carr. Carr’s sub-inspector “RAC” mark is found on the frame, barrel, cylinder, and bottom of the grip. Carr’s script letter cartouche is on the right side
of the grip. The left side of the grip has the correct date “1890” over “LEB” script letter cartouche. The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address. The ejector rod has a bullseye head. A “K” Colt inspection mark is stamped below the serial number on the trigger guard and back strap. “P” proofmarks are stamped on the cylinder and barrel. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking followed by “U.S.” Matching full or partial serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and
barrel. Includes a Rock Island Arsenal U.S. leather flap holster and paperwork related to when this revolver was sold in 1978 to the consignor.
CONDITION: Very good plus. 20% of original blue remain with the heaviest amounts on, around and under the ejector rod housing and slight traces of original
case colors remain on the frame and hammer with a mix of gray and brown patinas. The grip is fine with some minor dings and scratches and crisp cartouches.
Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good with age cracking and overall tight stitching.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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