1st New York Militia Marked Colt Cavalry Model Revolver .45 Colt

Description:
A very fine and highly unusual Colt Single Action Cavalry Model Revolver with New York Militia markings, this D.F.C.-inspected U.S. martial Colt combines documented government service, circa 1895 Colt refurbishment, New York Militia issue, and recent John Kopec authentication. Its unusual characteristics, while still confirming genuine New York Militia issue, make it especially appealing to advanced Colt and U.S. military revolver collectors.

• Colt Single Action Cavalry Model Revolver with New York Militia markings
• Inspected by U.S. Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark, whose initials are commonly seen as “D.F.C.”
• Recently re-examined by noted Colt historian and author John Kopec
• Includes Kopec’s accompanying silver seal letter of authentication
• Kopec notes this revolver was previously listed in his database
• In Kopec’s database, it falls between:
  • No. 113032, identified as a New Jersey Militia revolver
  • No. 113057, identified as an Artillery Model
• Kopec states the grip markings indicate this revolver was issued to the 1st Separate Co.
• A very unusual example of one of the 8,000 Cavalry Model revolvers refurbished by Colt circa 1895 and issued to the New York Militia
• Kopec specifically noted: “[W]e have found several very strange and never before encountered characteristics of this revolver not previously found on these New York Militia revolvers.”
• Despite those unusual traits, Kopec further stated that the revolver “shows all the necessary physical traits insuring us that it had been a genuine New York Militia issued example.”
• Not listed in Colt records as one of the 1895 refurbished examples, an unusual point specifically discussed by Kopec
• Kopec explains that these 1895 refurbished revolvers had matching serial numbers and that Colt re-stamped the barrels and cylinders with the full serial number during refurbishment
• The additional digits “11” were added to the original partial serial number on both the barrel and cylinder
• Kopec concluded that this “assuredly indicates that this revolver was indeed refurbished at Colt’s during 1895”
• Full matching visible serial number appears on:
  • Frame
  • Barrel
  • Trigger guard
  • Back strap
  • Cylinder
• All visible serial numbers match
• Serial numbers remain very distinct
• The frame is missing the Ordnance sub-inspector “D.F.C.” initials
• Kopec notes that New York Militia examples have been found with the “D.F.C.” marking partially obliterated
• Small “D.F.C.” sub-inspection stamps are visible on:
  • Underside of the barrel
  • Side of the cylinder
• “P” proof mark appears:
  • On the underside of the barrel in front of the sub-inspection mark
  • On the side of the cylinder
• Small “G” Colt inspection marks are stamped below the serial numbers on:
  • Trigger guard
  • Back strap
• Includes a factory letter stating the revolver was delivered to the U.S. government inspector at the Colt plant on November 26, 1884
• Right side of the grip is stamped “NY” in large letters above the unit marking and rack number:
  • “1st/91”
• “1st/91” identifies the 1st Separate Co. and rack number 91
• Butt is inscribed with script initials:
  • “Sr. C. B”
• The significance of the “Sr. C. B” initials is unknown
• Kopec notes the butt inscription in his letter and questioned whether “this inscription had been hand-cut into the revolver’s butt-strap during its previous Cavalry service”
• Fitted with a correct 1895 refurbishment replacement grip
• Grip is correctly numbered “113040” in ink on the back channel
• Grip also bears a small “R.A.C.” sub-inspection mark on the bottom
• One-piece walnut grip with oil finish
• Loading gate is an unmarked replacement
• Kopec notes that military replacement components were typically marked with either:
  • The letter “K”
  • The sub-inspector initials “RAC”
• Hammer is a later nickel-plated replacement
• Kopec notes that New York Militia refurbished revolvers normally received niter blue finished hammers, a bright heat-blue finish
• Military blue finish on:
  • Barrel
  • Ejector housing
  • Cylinder
  • Trigger guard
  • Back strap
• Color casehardened finish on:
  • Frame
  • Loading gate
  • Hammer
• Equipped with the oval ejector rod head introduced at approximately serial number 113,000
• Top of barrel is roll-stamped with the elongated block-letter Colt address:
  • “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”
• Left side of frame is stamped with:
  • Colt three-date, three-line patent marking
  • “U.S.” property mark
• A standout collector piece for those focused on U.S. martial Colts, New York Militia arms, Colt refurbishments, and Kopec-documented Single Action Army revolvers
• Particularly desirable due to its combination of:
  • New York Militia issue
  • 1st Separate Co. grip marking
  • Rack number 91
  • D.F.C. inspection features
  • Colt factory letter
  • Kopec silver seal authentication
  • Matching visible serial numbers
  • Documented circa 1895 Colt refurbishment indicators
  • Unusual characteristics specifically discussed by Kopec

Condition

Very fine. The revolver retains 80% of the correct 1895 factory refurbished Colt military blue and color casehardened finish. Most of the blue finish is present on the barrel and cylinder. The right side of the ejector housing, trigger guard and grip strap show moderate handling wear and have a blue-gray patina. The frame and loading gate retain 75% of the faded casehardened finish with strong colors in protected areas. The sides of the hammer appear to have nickel plated and 60% of the plated finish is present. The grip is very fine overall with moderate handling wear and one deep scratch in the left side. The New York markings on the right side of the grip are strong. Mechanically excellent. New York marked Colt Single Action Cavalry and Artillery Model revolvers are key variations for any advanced collection of U.S. martial Colt revolvers with this example being very unusual. As Kopec put it, “To say that this revolver is unique would be an understatement. It truly stands alone as being a one-of-a-kind example. The question of why it was overlooked in the Colt 1895 records, and yet was issued as one of the New York examples will forever remain a mystery.”

Handgun Caliber: .45 Colt
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial Number: 113040
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inch round
Condition: The bore is mostly bright with minor oxidation and crisp rifling.

Price: $14,999.99