3244

U.S. Colt Model 1873 Casey Inspected Cavalry Model Single Action Revolver in 7th Cavalry Serial Numb

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,500.00 USD Estimated At:9,000.00 - 16,000.00 USD
U.S. Colt Model 1873 Casey Inspected Cavalry Model Single Action Revolver in 7th Cavalry Serial Numb
Produced in 1875 and inspected by A.P. Casey, this revolver comes with a letter from Colt Single Action expert John A. Kopec (copy included), which states that this revolver falls within the group of pistols that were known to have been issued to the 7th Cavalry in the fall of 1876 to replace revolvers lost on June 25-26, 1876, at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Additionally, the letter states that this revolver is only a few numbers away from a documented 7th Cavalry "re-issue" revolver, and concludes that this revolver is "in all probability" a 7th Cavalry re-issue, and authentic save for the grips, which are period replacements from another Casey inspected revolver, itself likely a 7th Cavalry gun. Fixed sights, with one line script address on top of the barrel and early style ejector with housing mounted bolster and bulls-eye head. Cavalry pattern hammer, with bordered, elongated knurling on the spur. The left side of the frame is marked with the early, two-date in two-line patent marking followed by the "U.S." property mark. A "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. The revolver is a scarce 'duel-inspected' example with the small "C" mark of Ordnance Sub-Inspector A.P. Casey stamped on the underside of the barrel, the end of the ejector housing, the trigger guard, backstrap, rear face of the cylinder, in the hammer well above the firing pin hole and on the heel of the left side of the grip. The cylinder is stamped with a "J" Ordnance Sub-Inspector's mark. The full serial number, "18618" is stamped on the frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The barrel and cylinder are stamped with the partial serial number "8618". All of the visible serial numbers match and the grips are numbered "8411".
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 18618
Condition: Very good, with moderate service wear and a gray-brown patina. Some pitting is present overall, deeper on the left side of the frame. Grip is in good condition, with moderate handling wear and visible traces of the "APC" sub-inspector mark on the lower right side of the grip. The action is tight but in need of adjustment. This is a very good example of an early production, A.P. Casey inspected Model 1873 Cavalry revolver in the serial number range of documented 7th Cavalry revolvers.