SOLD - Rare Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army Revolver

Description

4/26/22 - This is a rare and desirable Colt Single Action Army revolver from 1891, known as the Artillery Model. Further historical detail is below, but regarding this specific revolver, it is accompanied by a Colt archive letter stating it was first shipped in April of 1891 to U.S. Government, but goes on to detail the factory modifications that were later done. The records further indicate this as an original Artillery Model that was returned to the factory for refurbishing, and shipped to the commanding officer at Springfield Armory in 1903. These were refinished at the factory during this period, and had weakened or damaged parts replaced so mismatched numbers is generally the norm. The finish shows wear on the grip frame, cylinder and around the muzzle. Good timing and action. Bore has strong rifling but some pitting in the grooves.

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From College Hill Arsenal: In 1893 the United States military began the process of recalling the Colt M-1873 “Single Action Army” .45 caliber revolvers, many of which had been in service for almost two decades, in order to replace them with the newly adopted M-1892 Colt “New Army” Double Action .38 caliber revolver. Initially the new .38 revolvers were only issued to cavalry regiments, and as sufficient quantities were available to reequip a regiment, the new guns were issued and the venerable .45 caliber single action Colts were returned to the nearest arsenal for storage and future issue if needed. However, the .45 Colts still remained the standard service revolver for the infantry and artillery, with the new .38s being specifically intended for cavalry issue first and other branches as the new guns became available. It was during this time that complaints from the field continued to come from light artillery regiments about the length of the single action Colt’s barrel. The light or “horse” artillery had long complained that the barrel and holster length were uncomfortable for the men who were intended to ride upon the caissons and limbers of the artillery pieces while they were being drawn by the team of horses. As a result, in August of 1894, the Ordnance Department requested a study be completed at the National Armory in Springfield, MA regarding the feasibility of shortening the 7 ““ long barrels of the current stocks of .45 caliber revolvers to a more convenient length of between 5” and 5 “. These guns were all late production Rinaldo A. Carr inspected guns in the 13XXXX range, delivered in 1890 & 1891 and still in new, unissued condition. The guns had their barrels shortened a number of times, with the front sight relocated each time. More detail can be found on their site posting: https://collegehillarsenal.com/colt-single-action-army-artillery-alteration