2032

COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,750.00 USD Estimated At:9,500.00 - 11,500.00 USD
COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.
SN 17579. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with bbl slightly reduced to 7-3/8", full front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small "U.S". Mounted with a 1-pc, period of use replacement walnut grip. Bottom of the bbl, trigger guard, back strap & cyl are all marked with a tiny "J" (believed to be W.W. Johnson) sub-inspector initials. Ejector housing is first type with bull's eye ejector rod head and base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Grip is without inspector cartouches or initials and if there was a SN in the back strap channel it is obscured by oil staining. Regardless, grip appears to be a period of use replacement that fits nearly perfectly. This revolver was produced in 1875, at the height of the Indian Wars and almost certainly would have seen service with a front line cavalry unit on the American frontier. The fact that it escaped the recalls of the 1890s and early 1900s attests to the theory that it may have been lost in battle, stolen or possibly assigned to a militia unit. During those recalls most cavalry revolvers were reworked to artillery configuration with 5-1/2" bbls. This revolver is listed, by SN, on p. 43 of Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers...A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, in a group of known revolvers with "J" sub-inspector initials. Several other revolvers from this series are known to have been 7th Cavalry replacement revolvers after the Battle at Little Big Horn. CONDITION: Very good, all matching, except grip as noted. Traces of orig finish remain in the most sheltered areas being mostly a clean gray metal patina with some fine pitting near the muzzle on the right side; hammer retains strong case colors. Grip is sound showing heavy wear and a hand worn patina. Mechanics are solid, strong bright bore with a few scattered spots of light pitting. 4-48238