GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
COLT ARTILLERY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. COLT SAA ARTILLERY 138414 45 COLT Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 5-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Bottom of bbl has the "RAC" (Rinaldo A. Carr) sub-inspector initials and last four digits "1608" of a serial number under the ejector housing. Frame, trigger guard & backstrap are matching numbered "138414". Cyl has last four digits of a serial number "3995" and the sub-inspector instals "DFC" (David F. Clark) from an earlier revolver. Ejector housing is 3rd type with half moon ejector rod head. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the rack number "46" on left side and matching SN in backstrap channel. The frame is also marked with the "RAC" initials with 2-line, 3-patent dates and U.S. on left side. Trigger guard, buttstrap & front end of ejector housing are all stamped with the "K" factory inspector initial. This revolver is one of the group altered at Springfield, but somehow managed to maintain most of its orig parts, having only its bbl & cyl changed. This revolver was from the 13th contract of Sep. 1890 which was completed in mid-1891. Many of the revolvers from this contract were issued as replacement arms to front line Cavalry units with others going to militia units. Those revolvers issued to Cavalry units were universally recalled in about 1895, and again during 1900-1903, and were altered to artillery configuration by having their bbls cut to 5-1/2" from the orig 7-1/2". Afterward, they continued in service with various army units, especially in the war in the Philippines. They remained in service well into the 20th century before being retired in favor of its venerable successor, the Model 1911 Semi-Auto pistol. CONDITION: Very good. Frame retains traces of case colors in the most sheltered areas with frame & bbl mostly a smooth grey metal patina. Trigger guard and backstrap retain traces of orig blue in sheltered areas, being mostly a grey metal patina. Cyl is matching patina. Grip has chipped toes and shows a dark hand worn patina. Hammer will not catch in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore. 49432-84 JR (4,000-6,000)