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Documented Colt 1873 "U.S. Army" RAC Marked Single Action Cavalry Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:11,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
Documented Colt 1873  U.S. Army  RAC Marked Single Action Cavalry Revolver
Colt Model 1873 Single Action Cavalry Revolver manufactured in 1890. This late production Colt Cavalry Revolver, has the standard dull military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and backstrap. The frame, loading gate and hammer have a casehardened finish. The one piece grip is oil finished walnut and is marked with the "S.E.B." initials of Ordnance Inspector Capt. Stanhope E. Blunt on the lower left side of the stock and the "R.A.C." initials of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Renaldo A. Carr on the lower right side of the stock and other locations. The revolver has the correct late oval ejector rod head introduced at serial number 113,000. The hammer is the standard cavalry pattern with elongated deep crosshatched spur. The top of the barrel is marked with the "Elongated Block" barrel address: "COLT'S PT. F.A.MFG.Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." used from about serial number 54,000 to the end of production. The left side of the frame is marked with the Colt "Three Date in Three Line" patent format used through about serial number 134300 followed by "U.S". There is, correctly, no period following the "S". The lower left side of the stock is dated "1890" in small numbers over the script initials "SEB" in a cartouche. The script sub inspector initials "RAC" are located in a cartouche on the right side of the stock. The inspection mark "R.A.C." is stamped in small block letters on the left stock heel, the cylinder, frame and the underside of the barrel. Small "K" Colt inspection marks are stamped on the bottom of the backstrap and trigger guard behind the serial numbers. "P" proofmarks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and the side of the cylinder. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "148". The full serial number, "131353" is located on the underside of the frame, trigger guard and backstrap. All of the visible serial numbers match. Correctly the partial serial number, "13531" is stamped on the side of the cylinder and on the underside of the barrel beneath the ejector housing. This revolver falls in the serial number range identified by Colt Single Action expert John A. Kopec as being delivered in the one of the last two Government contracts for SAA revolvers.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: cartouched walnut
Serial Number: 131353
Condition: Very fine with the barrel and ejector housing retaining 75% of their original blue finish with some minor wear towards the front end of the barrel and housing with minor spotting and light scratches overall. The trigger guard and backstrap retain 40% of their original blue finish with wear and finish loss on the inside grip area of the trigger guard and the middle and lower section of the back strap. The cylinder retains 60% of it fading and thinning blue finish overall. The frame retains 35-40% of it's original case colors with strong colors in the protected areas. The walnut grips are in very fine condition overall with minor nicks and dings around the lower edges wit nice color on both sides with NO major or heavy pressure dents of dings. The 1890 date is clear and visible and the cartouches have been traced over or lightly restamped. As noted the revolver has all matching numbers on the various parts and the screws have not been buggered up like usual. A very fine example of an all original, US Army Colt Calvary SAA revolver.