Colt Cavalry Model SAA - 182

This high condition U.S. contract Colt Cavalry Model single action revolver was manufactured in 1884, inspected by Captain Frank Heath, and sub-inspected by David F. Clark. It is one of the finest DFC sub-inspected Cavalry Models we have cataloged! Renowned Colt historian and author John Kopec examined this Cavalry Model and summarized his conclusions in his included November 14, 2023 dated gold seal letter of authentication. Kopec stated he initially examined this revolver when it was part of Captain William S. Peterson’s collection prior to the publication of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” and that the “revolver remains today in a remarkable state of preservation, being in an unfired condition and showing that it had seldom been used during its militia service period.” According to Kopec, “the majority of these revolvers from within the 111,000 series had been issued to the militia.” Since “this remarkable revolver” remains in its original, unaltered Cavalry Model configuration, it is likely that it was issued to a state militia circa 1885. In his 1998 dated letter to collector Greg Lampe, noted dealer and collector Herb Glass, Jr. “found this gun to be a lovely, unissued and probably unfired example.” “This is a really superb martial single action—one you can be very proud to add to your collection,” remarked Glass. Finally, there is a letter from dealer James W. King. This letter is also addressed to Lampe and attested to the superb condition. King provided provenance which dated back to the 1960s when the revolver was owned by Captain William S. Peterson. Captain William S. Peterson (1924-1995) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1947 and as a naval aviator, he flew 93 combat missions in the Korean War and was a test pilot. He retired from the Navy in 1976 and earned several decorations including the Bronze Star with Combat “V”, Navy Commendations Medal with Combat “V”, Air Medal, Korean Service Medal, and Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross. Captain Peterson built an extensive, high condition collection of Colt SAAs in a period spanning over 40 years. Many of his Colts were considered some of the finest examples of their types, such as this Cavalry Model. A number of his Colts were featured in the seminal work “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” by Graham, Kopec, and Moore. In 1995 the revolver was sold at auction with the rest of Captain Peterson’s SAA collection and was purchased by James King who in turn “sold it to a customer who wishes to remain anonymous.” In early 1998, King once again purchased the revolver and then sold it to Greg Lampe. A second John Kopec letter is included. Dated February 1998 this Kopec letter is addressed to James King and is complementary to the information Kopec provided in his aforementioned 2023 dated letter: “In looking over this exceptional revolver it is my opinion that it is 100% correct in all respects. It is as near a perfect unissued example of a Cavalry revolver as can be found anywhere today.” This Cavalry Model has certainly passed through the hands of the most prestigious and acclaimed SAA experts and collectors known to the Colt collecting fraternity. And now is your chance to acquire one of the finest David F. Clark sub-inspected Colt Cavalry Model revolvers in extant! The accompanying factory letter (addressed to Greg Lampe) states the revolver was sold to the U.S. Government and was one of 200 revolvers delivered to the U.S. Government Inspector at the Colt plant on October 24, 1884. The revolver has the low luster, Colt “military blue” finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder trigger guard and back strap. In Kopec’s words, “The ‘feathering’ patterns adjacent to the front sight and ejector stud remain extremely bold.” The frame, hammer, and loading gate are color casehardened with vivid case colors. The one-piece grip is oil-finished black walnut and as Kopec remarked, “remain in ‘text-book’ condition showing both inspector’s cartouches in perfect condition.” The revolver has the early style bullseye ejector rod head and cavalry style hammer with elongated bordered knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel has the roll stamped one-line Colt Hartford address. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a “P” proof mark and the U.S. Ordnance sub-inspector initials ‘DFC.” The left side of the frame is stamped with the Colt three-date/three-line patent marking followed by the “U.S.” property mark. “DFC” is stamped on the bottom of the frame above the serial number. The assembly or batch number “422” is stamped on the inside of the loading gate and inside of the frame under the trigger guard. A “P” proof mark and “DFC” sub-inspector mark are stamped on the cylinder. The full matching serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The matching partial serial number “1954” appears on the grip channel (handwritten), cylinder, and barrel. The left side of the grip is stamped with the date of inspection (“1884”) above the final inspection mark which consists of the script initials “FH”. The right side of the grip is stamped with script Sub-Inspector initials “DFC”. The small “DFC” mark is stamped on the left grip heel.

Condition: Excellent, retaining 90% plus original blue finish with the balance thinning to a brown, strongest on the grip straps from handling over the years. The hammer and frame retain 85% original case colors. The screws retain most of their original finish and show minimal wear. The grip is excellent plus with crisp date and cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This Cavalry Model will certainly be a standout piece in any private or public Colt or U.S. martial arms collection. It is truly an extraordinary example of a David F. Clark sub-inspected Cavalry Model revolver that will be difficult to improve upon!