GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
FINE COLT ARTILLERY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.COLTSAA ARTILLERY13984945 ColtCal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 5-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 2-line, 3-patent dates and "U.S". Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the "RAC" (Rinaldo A. Carr) sub-inspector cartouche under the date 1903. Frame is numbered "139849". Trigger guard is numbered "114557" and buttstrap "113115". Cyl & bbl are not numbered. Trigger guard has a "G" inspector initial with "RAC" initials on bottom of frame, bottom edges of grip, bottom of bbl and rear face of cyl. Buttstrap screw is frozen, therefore the grip was not removed to check for matching numbers. Ejector housing is 3rd type with bulls-eye ejector rod head. These artillery revolvers remained in service well into the 20th century until replaced by the Model 1911 Semi-auto pistol. They rarely are found today with high orig finish. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in cal 45 with blue finish, bbl length and type of stock not listed, delivered to the U.S. inspector at the Colt plant Apr. 14, 1891 in a 150 gun shipment. The letter also states that this revolver was returned "for cleaning and repairing as part of a group of 300 pistols on August 31, 1903. It was then reshipped to U.S. Government commanding officer, Springfield, Mass.". CONDITION: About fine, numbers as noted above. Bbl retains about 70-75% glossy orig blue with most of the losses on each side of the muzzle, thinning on the left side. Ejector housing retains bright blue in the gullets, worn to bare metal on the outer radius. Frame & hammer retain traces of faded case colors in the most sheltered areas, being an overall grey patina. Trigger guard & backstrap retain traces of blue with the balance a grey brown patina. Cyl retains faded blue in the flutes with the outer diameter a thin blue/grey patina. Grip is sound showing moderate edge wear with a few small nicks & dings and shows a hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, very bright shiny bore. 49432-82 JR (4,000-6,000)