Relics of the American West: 1850-1920 - ONLINE ONLY
Lot 2482e:
Description
This piece is in the desirable US military “Artillery Model” configuration with a 5.5″ barrel. Originally issued as 7½” barrel Cavalry models to the U.S. government, thousands of these revolvers were recalled during the Spanish-American War era to be cut down, refurbished, and re-issued. Because parts from hundreds of returned firearms were completely disassembled, cleaned, and mixed together during reassembly at Colt or the Springfield Armory, individual serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and backstrap rarely match on genuine Artillery models—a detail historically prized by collectors as proof of their unique service life. On this firearm, manufactured by Colt’s Pt. F. A. Mfg. Co. in Hartford, Connecticut, the frame displays clear patent markings and a distinct “U.S.” stamp, while the underside reveals frame serial number 95817 with a “D.F.C.” inspector mark for David F. Clark, mated to trigger guard number 131481, and a backstrap numbered 3441 with “R.A.C.” markings. The smooth walnut stocks are beautifully preserved, featuring a script “RAC” (Rinaldo A. Carr) inspector cartouche box on the right side and a dated “1901” refurbishment cartouche on the left side. Included with the firearm is a fleece-lined zipper soft case and an official Colt Manufacturing Company LLC archival letter dated December 15, 2009, confirming the frame’s original July 27, 1883 shipment to the U.S. Government, its subsequent factory refurbishment, and its February 13, 1903 reshipment to the Commanding Officer at Springfield Armory. Objectively assessing its condition, the revolver is in a highly attractive, exceptionally well-preserved state, retaining a deep, crisp blued finish on the barrel and cylinder with rich, vibrant case coloring remaining on the frame, showing only minor handling marks, faint cylinder rotation lines, and very clean wooden stocks with sharp, highly legible stamps. H 5.25″, W 11.25″, D 1.75″ Please see photos.
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