COLT ARTILLERY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH CUSTER RANGE BACK STRAP.

COLT ARTILLERY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH CUSTER RANGE BACK STRAP. SN 94315. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 5-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Bottom of bbl is unnumbered but has a tiny “P” proof and sub-inspector initials “RAC” (Rinaldo A. Carr). Frame has the sub-inspector initials “DFC” (David F. Clark). Trigger guard bears SN “54330” and the cyl is an unnumbered 1903 replacement with “RAC” sub-inspector initials on rear face. Back strap bears number “6572” and a tiny “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) sub-inspector initial at top of back strap. This SN falls within Lot 7 of Cavalry revolvers, some of which are documented 7th Cavalry issue and saw service with Custer at the Little Big Horn. In fact SN “6559” is a documented “rendered unserviceable at the Little Big Horn circa 1876”. Lot 7 revolvers are also known to have been issued to the 3rd U.S. Cavalry. The U.S. 3rd Cavalry Regiment saw service through the Mexican War, Civil War & Indian Wars. After the Civil War they were assigned to the Division of the Platte (Western Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana & the Dakotas). They participated in the battles before and after Little Big Horn and were particularly instrumental at the Battle of the Rosebud. It is therefore likely that the back strap of this revolver was originally part of a Cavalry revolver which saw extensive service throughout the Rocky Mountain West and the entirety of the Indian Wars whether with a U.S. trooper or captured by an Indian. Mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip that has the “RAC” cartouche and the date “1903” on the right side along with the “RAC” sub-inspector initials on both bottom edges. Right center front edge of grip has three small carved notches. Ejector rod housing is 3rd type with a bull’s eye ejector rod head and base pin is orig early style with dimpled ends. Front strap has a transverse grip locator pin hole where it was apparently mounted with 2-pc grips at some time in the past. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl & cyl retain 85-90% glossy restored Colt blue with some slight thinning on left side of bbl and high points of cylinder. Chambers of cyl still retain most of their COLT blue. Frame retains smoky case colors, being mostly a gray patina. Hammer also retains smoky case colors, stronger on back edge. Trigger guard & back strap retain strong blue in sheltered areas with exposed areas a blue/gray patina and fine pitting on back strap. Ejector rod housing retains about 90% glossy Colt blue. Grip has a fine crack on left side at frame, otherwise is sound showing moderate to heavy wear and retains a smooth hand worn patina with traces of varnish. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore with scattered spots of pitting. 4-44149 JR13 (6,500-8,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

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
	2070	$0.00	COLT ARTILLERY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH CUSTER RANGE BACK STRAP. SN 94315. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 5-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Bottom of bbl is unnumbered but has a tiny “P” proof and sub-inspector initials “RAC” (Rinaldo A. Carr). Frame has the sub-inspector initials “DFC” (David F. Clark). Trigger guard bears SN “54330” and the cyl is an unnumbered 1903 replacement with “RAC” sub-inspector initials on rear face. Back strap bears number “6572” and a tiny “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) sub-inspector initial at top of back strap. This SN falls within Lot 7 of Cavalry revolvers, some of which are documented 7th Cavalry issue and saw service with Custer at the Little Big Horn. In fact SN “6559” is a documented “rendered unserviceable at the Little Big Horn circa 1876”. Lot 7 revolvers are also known to have been issued to the 3rd U.S. Cavalry. The U.S. 3rd Cavalry Regiment saw service through the Mexican War, Civil War & Indian Wars. After the Civil War they were assigned to the Division of the Platte (Western Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana & the Dakotas). They participated in the battles before and after Little Big Horn and were particularly instrumental at the Battle of the Rosebud. It is therefore likely that the back strap of this revolver was originally part of a Cavalry revolver which saw extensive service throughout the Rocky Mountain West and the entirety of the Indian Wars whether with a U.S. trooper or captured by an Indian. Mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip that has the “RAC” cartouche and the date “1903” on the right side along with the “RAC” sub-inspector initials on both bottom edges. Right center front edge of grip has three small carved notches. Ejector rod housing is 3rd type with a bull’s eye ejector rod head and base pin is orig early style with dimpled ends. Front strap has a transverse grip locator pin hole where it was apparently mounted with 2-pc grips at some time in the past. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl & cyl retain 85-90% glossy restored Colt blue with some slight thinning on left side of bbl and high points of cylinder. Chambers of cyl still retain most of their COLT blue. Frame retains smoky case colors, being mostly a gray patina. Hammer also retains smoky case colors, stronger on back edge. Trigger guard & back strap retain strong blue in sheltered areas with exposed areas a blue/gray patina and fine pitting on back strap. Ejector rod housing retains about 90% glossy Colt blue. Grip has a fine crack on left side at frame, otherwise is sound showing moderate to heavy wear and retains a smooth hand worn patina with traces of varnish. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore with scattered spots of pitting. 4-44149 JR13 (6,500-8,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}