April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
Manufactured in 1890. According to the Colt Factory archive letter, it was in a shipment of 100 guns that went to the United States Government, U.S. Government Inspector located at the Colt plant on April 24,1890. It was shipped in .45 caliber with a blue finish. Barrel and stocks not listed. It also comes with a gold star research letter from John A. Kopec. This letter states that during 1902 an amendment to the Military Act of 1894 that it allowed the Army to equip militia units with the new .38 Colt double action revolver. Subsequently all of the SAA revolvers were sent to the Springfield Armory and deemed surplus. They were sold publicly after 1903 though places like Bannerman's. This is probably where Colonel Albert N. McClure acquired this revolver. He served in the U.S. Army for 34 years from January 15, 1895 to August 27, 1929. After graduating from West Point in 1899 he went on to serve in the Philippines and then on to China in the Boxer Rebellion. He passed away August 19, 1952 and was buried at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas. Then on November 27, 1962, when his estate was being settled, the revolver is listed by serial number (132249) with an appraisal of $20.00 in the paperwork. This gun comes with extensive research and documentation of Colonel McClure. It also comes with a US marked SAA holster. Single line address on top of the barrel. Patent dates on the left lower part of frame. U.S. stamped on the left side of the frame. Inspected by R.A.C., ordnance sub-inspector Reinaldo A. Carr. His initials are on the lower part of the frame, the lower rear of the barrel, bottom of the grip and the side of the cylinder. They are also in an oval box on the right side of the grip. There is a P proof mark on the lower part of the barrel and a K proof on the trigger guard, end of ejector housing and back strap. Full matching serial numbers (132249) on the frame, trigger guard, back strap and the inside of the grip. Partial serial numbers (2249) On the lower part of the barrel under the ejector housing and side of the cylinder. Left side of grip has the date 1890 with another cartouche under that of the initials SEB in a box. CONDITION: Barrel and trigger guard retain the majority of the original factory finish. The cylinder, back strap and ejector housing are fading into a plum/brown patina. Case color on the frame and hammer in the protected areas with the remainder silvering. Holster shows normal leather crazing. Stitching is tight and serviceable. A high conditioned Cavalry SAA with lots of research.