October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2018
According to John Kopec, US Colt historian, this revolver was a new listing manufactured circa November 8th, 1882. Ordnance inspected by Captain John E. Greer with David F. Clarke as Ordnance sub-inspector. You will find his initials "DFC" stamped on frame, barrel and cylinder, as well as bottom of right grip panel. Serial number is not listed in the National Archives. John feels this was a state militia gun due to the unaltered condition. He found 154 issued to Alabama and Mississippi in 1883 and 620 issued to states in 1884, the bulk (360) sent to North Carolina. After the Spanish-American War, these revolvers were returned to Springfield Armory and placed in storage, disposed of by large dealers such as Bannerman and Stokes-Kirk. As early as 1912, NRA members could buy these revolvers from the DCM. John made the following notes: Ejector spring is a replacement and head is a modern component, ejector screw is incorrect; grips fitted to this revolver appear to be old and original with a repair to the right toe and the markings "A7", which could stand for Company A Trooper 7; "DFC" stamp on right butt is a facsimile, no original finish exists on this example with minor rust throughout; barrel address shows considerable wear and is faint, with forward areas missing; rear sight shows peening marks. His general consensus is that the revolver is correct except for the above notes. Frame has three line patent address and "US" stamp on left side. "P" can be found stamped on barrel and cylinder. Frame screws are generally straight with some minor marking. Repaired toe is only visible on the right panel. Full or partial matching serial numbers on barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap and cylinder. Assembly number on loading lever is "1327". Back of cylinder is stamped "JO". Cylinder has strong, clean rifling; sharp edges and minor frosting. Revolver indexes and locks up correctly. Overall a good, solid, 1880's Cavalry Colt.