Description
Item Description
According to the Factory Archives Letter, this example was sold to the United States Government and shipped to U.S. Government Inspector on August 17th, 1883 with only 150 guns in shipment.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Model: 1873 Single Action Army
Serial: 96035
Date of Manufacture: 1883
Caliber: .45 Colt
Finish: Blue/CCH, faded to an even and pleasing patina.
Barrel Length: 5.25"
Optics/Sights: Fixed sights
Stock/Grips: Original One piece walnut, Stamped D.F.C. and partially numbered on the inside (See Photos)
Action: Single Action Revolver
Markings: Matching Serials on Frame, Backstrap, Trigger guard, Cylinder, Barrel, and partial on the inside of the grips (SEE PHOTOS). "D.F.C." inspector mark (David F. Clark) stamped on grips, cylinder, frame, barrel. Other sub inspectors marks. "U.S." on frame by patent dates.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
This is the Coveted Colt Single Action Army, produced in 1883 and accepted for U.S. service by ordnance inspector David F. Clark (D.F.C.). This revolver would have originally been cavalry length at 7.5", "however as like almost all of these examples" was shortened to 5.25" during the factory rework.
All numbers match, with the grips only being partially numbered. We have included photos of the numbering inside the grips so that potential bidders can see for themselves. The gun is mechanically excellent, with the action functioning as it should. The cylinder has very little side to side play in full lockup, with very minimal endshake. The gun has achieved a pleasing patina over the past 140 years, with traces of bright blue still visible on the ejector rod housing screw and blue on the underside of the housing itself. The base of the hammer also still contains color case hardening.
This example features Matching Serials on Frame, Backstrap, Trigger guard, Cylinder, Barrel, and partial on the inside of the grips (SEE PHOTOS). "D.F.C." inspector mark (David F. Clark) stamped on grips, cylinder, frame, barrel, and other sub inspectors marks. "U.S." on frame by patent dates. It also comes with the "US" marked black leather holster.
This is one of the most Honest Martially Marked Single Action Colt US Calvalry examples that you will find.
Bound by the Rollin White patent (#12,648, April 3, 1855) and not wanting to pay a royalty fee to Smith & Wesson, Colt could not begin development of bored-through revolver cylinders for metallic cartridge use until April 4, 1869. For the design, Colt turned to two of its best engineers: William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards who had developed a number of revolvers and black powder conversions for the company. Their effort was designed for the United States government service revolver trials of 1872 by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and adopted as the standard military service revolver. Production began in 1873 with the Single Action Army model 1873, also referred to as the "New Model Army Metallic Cartridge Revolving Pistol".
The very first production Single Action Army, serial number 1, thought lost for many years after its production, was found in a barn in Nashua, New Hampshire, in the early 1900s. This gun was chambered in .44 S&W, a centerfire design containing charges of up to 40 grains (2.6 g) of fine-grained black powder and a 255-grain (16.5 g) blunt roundnosed bullet. Relative to period cartridges and most later handgun rounds, it was quite powerful in its full loading.
The Colt Single Action Army revolver, along with the 1870 and 1875 Smith & Wesson Model 3 "Schofield" revolver, replaced the Colt 1860 Army Percussion revolver. The Colt quickly gained favor over the S&W and remained the primary U.S. military sidearm until 1892 when it was replaced by the .38 Long Colt caliber Colt Model 1892, a double-action revolver with swing-out cylinder. By the end of 1874, serial no. 16,000 was reached; 12,500 Colt Single Action Army revolvers chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge had entered service and the remaining revolvers were sold in the civilian market.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
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Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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