April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
All of the following information is taken from the definitive book on these revolvers, written by Robert Best, titled "A Study of Colt's New Army & Navy Pattern Double Action Revolvers 1889 to 1908". For all intents and purposes, at first glance, this revolver appears to be a standard US issue that features the six shot fluted cylinder with stop notches. The left side frame, bottom of left grip, back of cylinder and bottom of barrel are stamped "RAC" for Renaldo Carr. Butt is stamped "US ARMY MODEL 1892". Additional stampings include "P1" under the barrel, "K1" on the cylinder release, and "12-16" written in pencil inside both grips. The back of the cylinder is also stamped "1" and "P". On June 16th, 1892, the Army awarded Colt a contract for 5,000 of the new Double Action Army Model of 1892. This first 5,000 guns were delivered by July 31st, 1893 and serial numbered 1 to 5000. An additional 3,000 revolvers were delivered by December 31st, 1893 for a total of 8,000 revolvers and two contracts, serial numbers 1 to 8000. Colt then started production and shipment of the Civilian Model 1892 from December of 1892 to June of 1894. Colt skipped to serial number 10001 after numbering five previous revolvers. The first civilian revolver was delivered on December 9th, 1892. Beverly Haynes at Colt's Historical Records Units confirmed there was no shipping data between numbers 8000 and 10000 serial range. Of these 8,000 military shipped Colts, approximately 7,496 were recalled for alteration to the Model 1894 specifications. This revolver was not modified. There is numerous information about Colt using parts on hand, and it is apparent Colt used existing military stamped parts to build the first ever shipped Civilian Model. You have serial number on the cylinder release, back of cylinder, and "P1" on bottom of the barrel; that further confirm that Colt serial number 10001 was the first civilian shipped Colt that was actually built with US Army marked parts. In addition, there is no final inspector mark on the left side of the grip as is found on all 8,000 military contract models. It is not surprising that the first ever Colt civilian shipped 1892 that was built using surplus parts, and as a civilian model would not have been shipped back for the 1894 upgrade. The familiar pony in circle found on many civilian models is not present, as that space is occupied by the "RAC" inspector mark. CONDITION: This revolver was found in a wall during renovation at an old home in Philadelphia and its condition nearly unimprovable. Barrel has a slight rub on bottom, otherwise retaining 95% of the bright commercial type blue finish. The frame has some overall high edge wear and retains fully 95% high polish blue. Backstrap has a bit of thinning and remains at 80%. Trigger guard retains 95%. Inner grip frame retains approximately 85% with a few scratches and back of trigger guard, probably from some one wearing a ring. Cylinder remains at approximately 75-80%. Still retains nearly all the fire blue on screws. Traces of fire blue on trigger. 95% fire blue on hammer. Grips are near mint. Action like new. Bore is near mint. This is probably the finest condition, unaltered Model 1892 and extremely historic in the fact it is the first 1892 Colt listed as civilian shipped. Factory research lists this revolver being shipped as a 6" blued .38 with wood stocks, shipped to Captain V. McNally, Ordnance Department, USA on December 29th, 1892 in a three gun shipment.