November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
This Colt is accompanied by both a Colt factory letter and a John Kopek letter. The Kopek letter basically states that the gun is all original and unaltered. The factory letter states that it was shipped to the U.S. government on December 3, 1884 in a 100 gun shipment. Archives show that the State of Georgia received four revolvers on February 9, 1885 and another group of 30 on August 7 of that year. Other shipments were sent in 1886, 1888 and 1889. Due to the 1884 production date, it can be assumed that this example is from the 1885 shipment of 34 guns. Its only identification to Georgia is the faded "GA" stamped on left grip. All other cartouche stamps are no longer legible, the grips having been freshened up at one time and slightly shy to metal. Partial serial number "113" can be seen written in pencil in grip channel. Gun features six shot, single action, blue/case hardened with walnut grips. Following notes: inspected by David F. Clark (1880-1887); serial number range 53000 to 121000; 1,000 gun manufactured from 41,000 to 42,000 in 1878 but inspected in 1880; bottom of barrel is stamped "D.F.C. 3267" and "P"; frame is stamped "D.F.C. U.S." on left side with three line patent date; "G" is stamped on trigger guard; "D.F.C. 3267" and "P" stamped on cylinder; backstrap stamped with a "G", loading gate has assembly No. 1666. Revolver has all matching serial numbers and all proper parts for this era. Condition is basically a smooth brown patina with sharp legends. Screw heads are clean. All four Colt clicks. Locks up tight. Excellent, strong clean bore. Very fine all original (with notation to grips) U.S. Cavalry revolver that survived the government recall. Georgia in the 1880's was plagued with reconstruction problems with the resurgence of ex-Confederate groups clashing with government reconstruction troops, and the Civil War was far from over to most Georgians.