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FACTORY LETTERED to LT. CAVANAUGH COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY Revolver SAA C&R Engraved Officer Inscription; Blue with Case Colors
Guns International #: 103462901 Seller's Inventory #: 259310
Category: Colt Revolvers - Army - .38 Special Revolvers
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 975
Total Number of Listings: 43273
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
FACTORY LETTERED to LT. CAVANAUGH COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY Revolver SAA C&R
Engraved Officer Inscription; Blue with Case Colors
Here Ancestry Guns presents an Inscribed & Lettered First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolver, manufactured in 1929 in Hartford, Connecticut. This revolver is listed by serial number and its backstrap inscription is pictured in Keith Cochran’s book Colt Peacemaker Encyclopedia, Volume Two on page 262. Both the gun and the recipient on the archival letter bear the name of Lt. Cavanaugh. The letter also indicates that special work was done on this revolver at the factory. This could have been the engraving on the backstrap or it could be something else, such as a caliber change, as the second letter from the Colt archivist states. We believe this revolver was ordered by, engraved for, and shipped to Lieutenant John. R. Cavanaugh of the 1st Battalion Headquarters, Battery & Combat Train, New York 104th Field Artillery. He hailed from Binghampton and was a competitive military shooter, taking top places on the podium in interstate matches, such as this one in the Second Corps Area of the Army, which was in May of 1929 in Sea Girt, NJ, and the subsequent match that took place in July at Fort Totten. He was commissioned 1st Lieutenant around July 2025.
The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as shipped in a 1 gun shipment on November 12, 1929, to individual Lt. Cavanaugh, address listed as not available, in .38 Colt caliber and a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, and hard rubber grips, with the further remark: “Records indicate this firearm was processed on Colt Factory Order 17438/1.” An included Colt archive letter indicates that the possible special work performed on this revolver under the factory order is unable to be specified.
This is a fairly late production First Generation Colt SAA. Double action revolvers on the New Service frame and action were more popular by this time, but single actions still had their following. Regarding the fact that this piece letters as .38 Colt and is marked .38 Special on the barrel, Graham, Kopec, & Moore in A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver state on page 171 that: “Colt’s did not differentiate between barrel caliber markings of the .45…or the .38 Colt Special and the .38 S&W Special chamberings…” and “Barrels manufactured after October 1929 intended for… .38 Colt Special or .38 S&W Special were stamped only ‘.38 Special’ following the ‘COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY’ prefix to indicate their caliber.” On page 172, they explain that Colt’s shipping department proliferated the confusion between these two chamberings, which carries on in the archival letters, by “In most instances, they recorded shipments of both calibers as only ‘.38’ or ‘.38/C’.”
The overall condition is fine. Original blue finish and case colors. Much blue is present in handled areas. The grips are fine with only a small amount of handling evidence. Excellent action, holding all 3 positions, and having all 4 clicks. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. Numbers match throughout. This is a very well-preserved late 1st Generation Colt Single Action Army with neat provenance!
Own the original! This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.
Barrel is 7-1/2 inches.
Caliber: .38 Special
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING. Will need to be sent to your local FFL or C&R licensee. This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
$6000
#259310
Price: $6,000.00
Curio/Relic: Yes