Posted on 11/27/2016 9:52:44 AM PST by Swordmaker
Description: Rare and Unique Documented Colt U.S. Contract Artillery Model Single Action Revolver with Un-Numbered Replacement Frame Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army revolver with un-numbered replacement frame, barrel, cylinder and trigger guard.
The Ordnance Department purchased 171 unnumbered replacement frames from Colt between 1874 and 1891. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt three-date/two-line patent marking initially used by Colt in 1890 at approximately serial number 134,000.
"A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver" by Graham, Kopec and Moore states that the Army purchased six replacement frames from Colt on May 4, 1891. These were the last replacement frames purchased from Colt.
The inside of the loading gate is stamped with a "K" instead of a assembly number which indicates it is a replacement part circa 1890-1891. The frame is not stamped with the "U.S." property mark. The barrel is roll-stamped "45 COLT" on the left side which indicates it is a commercial replacement installed during the Colt overhaul of Single Action Army revolvers circa 1903.
The underside of the barrel is stamped with the small "R.A.C." sub-inspection mark utilized during the 1903 Colt overhaul. The cylinder is also a replacement that dates from the same overhaul and is stamped "R.A.C." sub-inspection mark of the rear face. The bottom of the back strap has the conventional serial number marking: "133/764/K".
The lower left side of the walnut grip is stamped with a faint and illegible Ordnance final inspection mark. Un-serial numbered Single Action Artillery revolvers are discussed by Kopec and Fenn on page 100 of "Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers". Kopec and Fenn identified a total of Twelve artillery single action revolvers with un-marked frames and note that several of these revolvers have "45 COLT" marked barrels and "R.A.C." marked replacement cylinders.
Only two of the revolvers with un-serial numbered frames were stamped with "U.S." property marks. Kopec and Fenn state that the 'no-number" Artillery revolvers represent a final effort by Colt and the Ordnance Department to use the last remaining Single Action parts at the conclusion of the 1903 Colt overhaul.
The revolver retains traces of the factory blue finish used in the Colt 1903 overhaul on those portions of the barrel protected by ejector housing. More than 25% of the faded case colors remain on the frame and hammer. The balance of the revolver has a silver-gray patina. There is shallow pitting on the left recoil shield and top strap, bottom of the trigger guard and cylinder. The cylinder shows the greatest concentration of pitting. The Colt and Ordnance sub-inspection markings on the barrel and frame are sharp. The walnut grip is in good overall condition with the exception of the butt which has numerous dents from use as a hammer. The action is tight and functions well.
This is a rare and documented variation of the Colt Artillery Single Action revolver that rarely is ever offered at auction!
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