GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
COLT ARTILLERY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH CUSTER ERA BACKSTRAP. COLT SAA ARTILLERY 18512 45 COLT Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 5-1/2" bbl and 1-line address with last four digits of SN "8075" on bottom under ejector housing. Bbl also has "HN" (Henry Nettleton) sub-inspector initials. Ejector housing is 2nd type with bulls-eye ejector rod head. Frame is numbered as above, trigger guard is numbered "33443", cyl is numbered "8271" with "A" (Orvil W. Ainsworth) inspector initials. Backstrap bears the number "4818" and the small "A" inspector initial at the top. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the oval cartouche "FH" (Capt. Frank Heath) under the date that appears to be "1884". Right side sub-inspector cartouche is only an outline partially visible and the backstrap channel has four digits of a SN that appears to be "2384". The backstrap is from lot 5 of 1874 which included 1,000 revolvers from which the 7th Cavalry was issued 600 revolvers, the majority of the 7th Cavalry issue which was present at the Custer fight at The Little Big Horn. Most of the remainder of lot 5 were issued to the 1st Cavalry Regiment in California who were themselves fighting Indians in California, Nevada, Idaho & Utah. Regardless of the Regiment to which revolver #4818 was assigned, it would have been engaged fighting Indians. This is one of the Cavalry revolvers recalled and returned for alteration to artillery configuration. As is found here, they usually have mixed parts with bbl shortened to 5-1/2". CONDITION: About fine, numbered as noted above. Bbl retains about 50% blue with the balance a mixed patina and shows strong feathers on each side of front sight and ejector stud. Ejector stud is cracked. Frame retains about 50% faded case colors with the balance a grey patina. Hammer retains strong case colors turned silver on top edge. Trigger guard & backstrap are mostly a blue/grey patina. Cyl is a smooth blue/grey patina. Grip is sound showing light edge wear with a few light nicks and retains a hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore. 49432-91 JR (5,000-8,000)