SCARCE CASEY INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SCARCE CASEY INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 16432. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates, the top line of which is extremely faint from a light strike. It also has a small “U.S.”. Ejector rod housing is first type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip that has last four digits of matching SN in back strap channel. Left side of grip has a legible “APC” (A.P. Casey) sub-inspector’s cartouche. Several of the revolver parts have a small “C” inspector initial. Mr. Casey’s inspection period ran from Dec. 1874 thru March 1875 and encompassed a rather small contract making Casey-inspected Colts substantially scarce. In most instances Casey-inspected single actions were issued to fighting cavalry regiments including the 2nd, 5th and 10th, in the American west fighting Indians, all of which were up and down the northern plains, Rocky Mountains and Southern plains from Montana to Texas. The 2nd Cavalry fought at the Battle of the Rosebud which immediately preceded Custer’s fiasco at the Little Big Horn. Few Casey inspected Cavalry Colts survive today in any condition. To find one completely orig with high orig finish is truly a great rarity. A majority of these revolvers were recalled in the 1890s and early 20th century and were altered to artillery configuration usually with mixed parts and bbls shortened to 5-1/2″. Apparently at one time an owner removed the orig 1-pc grip and replaced it with 2-pc grips as there is a grip locator pin hole in the front strap, now missing. Equally apparent the past owner retained the orig grip and eventually returned it to the revolver. According to our consignor, this is the earliest serial numbered Casey inspected Colt SSA, with #16433 being listed in John Kopec’s book as the earliest in his survey in Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching including bbl, cylinder & grip. Bbl retains about 95% strong orig blue with visible feathers on each side of the front sight; ejector housing retains about 90% strong orig blue with some flaking on outer radius; frame retains about 70% bright case colors with some fading on the sides; hammer retains faded case colors; cylinder retains 96-97% strong orig blue with only faint sharp edge wear and some minor nicks & flaking; grip frame retains about 90% strong orig blue with some candy striping on the front & back straps and trigger guard. Grip has chipped toes and a chipped left heel with some nicks & dings in the edges and retains a fine hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few small scattered spots of pitting. 4-49006 JR65 (25,000-45,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2016	$23,000.00	SCARCE CASEY INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 16432. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates, the top line of which is extremely faint from a light strike. It also has a small “U.S.”. Ejector rod housing is first type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip that has last four digits of matching SN in back strap channel. Left side of grip has a legible “APC” (A.P. Casey) sub-inspector’s cartouche. Several of the revolver parts have a small “C” inspector initial. Mr. Casey’s inspection period ran from Dec. 1874 thru March 1875 and encompassed a rather small contract making Casey-inspected Colts substantially scarce. In most instances Casey-inspected single actions were issued to fighting cavalry regiments including the 2nd, 5th and 10th, in the American west fighting Indians, all of which were up and down the northern plains, Rocky Mountains and Southern plains from Montana to Texas. The 2nd Cavalry fought at the Battle of the Rosebud which immediately preceded Custer’s fiasco at the Little Big Horn. Few Casey inspected Cavalry Colts survive today in any condition. To find one completely orig with high orig finish is truly a great rarity. A majority of these revolvers were recalled in the 1890s and early 20th century and were altered to artillery configuration usually with mixed parts and bbls shortened to 5-1/2″. Apparently at one time an owner removed the orig 1-pc grip and replaced it with 2-pc grips as there is a grip locator pin hole in the front strap, now missing. Equally apparent the past owner retained the orig grip and eventually returned it to the revolver. According to our consignor, this is the earliest serial numbered Casey inspected Colt SSA, with #16433 being listed in John Kopec’s book as the earliest in his survey in Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching including bbl, cylinder & grip. Bbl retains about 95% strong orig blue with visible feathers on each side of the front sight; ejector housing retains about 90% strong orig blue with some flaking on outer radius; frame retains about 70% bright case colors with some fading on the sides; hammer retains faded case colors; cylinder retains 96-97% strong orig blue with only faint sharp edge wear and some minor nicks & flaking; grip frame retains about 90% strong orig blue with some candy striping on the front & back straps and trigger guard. Grip has chipped toes and a chipped left heel with some nicks & dings in the edges and retains a fine hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few small scattered spots of pitting. 4-49006 JR65 (25,000-45,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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