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COLT US ARTILLERY MODEL SAA REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
COLT US ARTILLERY MODEL SAA REVOLVER.
Cal. 45 Colt. S# 54342. Bbl. shortened to 5 1/2". After two decades of service, many Colt Cavalry Model revolvers were recalled for refurbishing after introduction of the 1892 Colt DA .38 caliber revolvers. Many of these have bbls. shortened to 5 1/2" w/ non matching S#'s. These revolvers have become known to collectors as Artillery Models as a reference to their use by artillery units in the Spanish-American War. Frame no. 54342 is stamped "US" on right side with "DFC" inspectors mark referring to sub inspector David F. Clark. Hammer slot is marked w/ initial "H". Loading gate is numbered 866. Trigger guard & backstrap are no. 137177 & have inspectors initial "K". Bottom of bbl. has "JTC" & "P" markings. 6 Shot cyl. has partially obscured no. ending w/ 657. Side of cyl. is marked "P", back of cyl. has "P, "K" & "L" inspectors marks. Blue & case colored finish. 1 Piece walnut grips. Left panel has 1901 rebuild date over "OCH" cartouche referring to Lt. Otis C. Horney, ordnance inspector 1900-1902. Bottom of left panel & right panel have "RAC" inspectors mark & cartouche referring to Rinaldo A. Carr. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: binder of information containing Colt factory letter & John Kopec letter of authentication. Colt letter provides the following information "Serial Number 54342 / Caliber: .45/c / Barrel Length: Not Listed / Finish: Blue / Type of Stocks: Not Listed / Sold To: United States Government / Delivered To: U.S. Government Inspector / Address: located at the Colt plant / Date of Shipment: March, 25 1880 / Number of Same Type Guns in Shipment: 150 / Remarks: The records also indicate subject revolver was returned to the factory for refurbishing. The refurbishing consisted of replacement of worn parts, exterior refinished and reassembly. Is is of further interest to note that the majority of the revolvers received during this time frame had 5 1/2" barrels. / The revolver was subsequently reshipped to the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts on January 29, 1902". CONDITION: very fine. Bbl., cyl., grip straps retain over 80% bright blue showing carry & edge wear w/ cyl. drag line. Ejector housing retains good blue in protected areas w/ exposed portions fading to gray. Action & hammer retain over 75% nicely visible case colors. Grips show moderate wear & handling marks w/ lg. dent at butt of left panel. Action is in time, cyl. exhibits some play. Bore is bright w/ strong rifling showing scattered sm. spots of very light roughness. (01-21603/DS). ANTIQUE. $8,000-12,000.