Colt Artillery "4th type" Model Single Action Army

Offered here is a rare 7 1/2 inch barrel Artillery Model which renowned Colt historian and author John Kopec has designated the "4th type" Artillery Model. While a majority of the 15,000 plus Colt Cavalry Models were altered by the government to Artillery Model configuration, only a few retained their original 7 1/2 inch barrel length. These 7 1/2 inch barrel Artillery Models were likely carried in the Philippines by state militia members, and due to the tropical Pacific climate resulted in the need of rework and refurbishing which is believed to have been performed at the Manila Arsenal; with these revolvers known to have a distinctive blue finish on all the main components. John Kopec examined this Colt revolver and he recorded his observations in the accompanying May 4, 2006, dated letter of authentication. The revolver was previously listed in his survey and the frame number falls between serial numbers 16500 (Cavalry Model) and 16513 (Artillery Model) in this survey. The frame of this revolver (16507) and barrel (6507) originated as U.S. Cavalry Model components manufactured in 1875. The barrel bears the "L" sub-inspector mark for Samuel B. Lewis. Although this revolver's serial number could not be located in the National Archives records, 16507 falls between serial number 16320 issued to Co. F, 6th Cavalry as of August 3, 1888, and 16850 issued to Troop C, 7th Cavalry as of December 6, 1891. Kopec concluded, "There is therefore a good possibility that the revolver #16507 while still in its original Cavalry configuration had served with one of these Cavalry units during the Indian Wars." Both the trigger guard (116809) and the back strap (115056) were manufactured in 1885. "Now," continued Kopec, "what we find interesting is that the revolver #115056 is also extant as an Artillery revolver with mixed serial numbers but with a matching (#5056) 7 1/2 inch barrel! Therefore, there has to be come unusual root connection between these two revolvers, both with 7 1/2 inch matching barrels, and both sharing components from one another. These components had to have been mixed while these two revolvers were in close proximity to one another, most probably while they were being re-blued at the Manila Arsenal." The revolver has an all blue finish which Kopec states is consistent with revolvers believed to have been reblued at the Manila Arsenal. The very desirable O.W. Ainsworth sub-inspected cylinder has the number 6365 from 1874 production. Kopec noted, "The Cavalry revolver #6365 originated from with Lot Six. Lot Six was one of the 'prime' lots from which the U.S. 7th Cavalry received their initial issue of these revolvers prior to their departure into the Black Hills." The Battle of the Little Bighorn occurred on June 25-26, 1876, during the Great Sioux War of 1876 (aka the Black Hills War). The "Battle of the Greasy Grass" as it was known to Native Americans, was one of the greatest battlefield victories in Native American history and one of the worst defeats in U.S. history, and also became famously referred to as "Custer's Last Stand" in which Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer was killed along with every soldier of the five companies he led. The cylinder pin is a modern replacement. "R.A.C." initials of sub-inspector Rinaldo A. Carr on the left butt of the grip. The casehardened hammer is of the 1890s style with short coarse knurling. An included factory letter lists both Cavalry Model host revolvers 116809 (trigger guard) and 115056 (back strap) as delivered to the U.S. Government on December 9, 1885, and September 23, 1885, respectively. Also included is a text version of the article "Full Manila Blue" by Dave Lanara.

Condition

Fine overall, retains 75% blue finish, vibrant patterns of case colors on the hammer, with smooth gray patina on the balance, a distinct barrel address, and a few minor dings on the grip with crisp inspection initials. Mechanically excellent. A historic U.S. Colt Fourth Type Artillery Model Single Action Army revolver worthy of any American firearms collection!