{"product_id":"product-2","title":"Original U.S. Indian Wars Colt Single Action Army .45 Cavalry Revolver with Factory Letter, Military Belt and M1881 Holster - Serial No. 31311 - Manufactured 1876","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptional and highly evocative U.S. military Colt Single Action Army revolver manufactured in 1876, factory documented as one of 100 .45-caliber revolvers shipped to the United States Government, and accompanied by a period U.S. military belt and an original Model 1881 cavalry holster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver retains its correct 7 1\/2-inch Cavalry Model barrel, matching frame and barrel serial numbers, large U.S. acceptance marking, and the scarce J.T.C. inspection initials of Ordnance sub-inspector John T. Cleveland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater U.S. arsenal work introduced several mismatched military components, giving this revolver the fascinating configuration expected of a sidearm that remained in government service long enough to be repaired, rebuilt, and returned to issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete rig has tremendous visual appeal and represents one of the most recognizable combinations of firearm and equipment from the Indian Wars and early American frontier period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFactory Documentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver is accompanied by an original Colt factory letter dated October 28, 1996. The letter was issued by the Office of the Colt Historian and is signed by Kathleen J. Hoyt. It retains the correct Colt letterhead and raised seal. The factory record identifies the revolver as: \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eThe listed caliber is: .45\/C. The original finish is recorded as: BLUE. The barrel length and stock material are not listed in the surviving factory record. However, the standard U.S. military configuration at the time was a 7 1\/2-inch barrel with a one-piece walnut grip, matching the configuration retained by this revolver. The letter records that the revolver was sold to the United States Government and shipped on \u003cstrong\u003eOctober 28, 1876\u003c\/strong\u003e. It was included in a shipment of 100 revolvers of the same type sent to the U.S. Government inspector stationed at the Colt factory. This factory documentation is exactly what collectors hope to find with a genuine U.S. Cavalry Model Single Action Army.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial Numbers and Inspection Marks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe frame is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e31311\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColt serial-number records date this revolver to 1876, during the early years of U.S. military Single Action Army production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside of the barrel, beneath the ejector housing, is marked with the abbreviated serial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1311\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis confirms that the barrel matches the frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth the frame and barrel bear the inspection initials:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ.T.C.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese initials identify U.S. Ordnance sub-inspector John T. Cleveland, who inspected Colt revolvers during a relatively brief period beginning in 1876. Cleveland took over inspection duties on a U.S. contract for approximately 2,000 revolvers, making correctly marked examples particularly desirable among advanced military Colt collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cylinder is numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7226\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trigger guard is numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e17569\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe backstrap is numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e30727\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grip is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3640\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first digit could alternatively be read as an 8 because of wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe loading gate bears assembly number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4543\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese mixed numbers are consistent with later U.S. arsenal refurbishment, when serviceable components from multiple military revolvers were combined without concern for preserving their original serial-number relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ordnance Department’s priority was maintaining functional military sidearms, not preserving matching collector examples. Period arsenal rebuild programs are well known for producing military Single Action Army revolvers assembled from mixed but serviceable components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the familiar 5 1\/2-inch arsenal-reworked revolvers commonly called Artillery Models, this example retains its full-length matching 7 1\/2-inch barrel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S. Military Markings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the frame carries the large: \u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurcharge or acceptance marking, confirming government ownership and military acceptance. The left side also retains the early two-line Colt patent marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT. SEPT. 19. 1871.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT. JULY. 2. 1872.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the correct early marking used before the later addition of the Colt horse emblem to the frame. The top of the barrel retains the original one-line Colt address:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe marking remains fully legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional single-letter inspection and proof marks are present on various components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no visible caliber marking on the trigger guard. The barrel and cylinder have been checked using appropriate cartridges and are confirmed to be chambered for .45 Colt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Colt Single Action Army\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Single Action Army was developed specifically in response to U.S. Government requirements for a durable metallic-cartridge service revolver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdopted by the Army in 1873, it became the standard mounted-service sidearm and was issued extensively to cavalry troops operating throughout the American West.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColt ultimately delivered more than 30,000 Single Action Army revolvers to the U.S. Government between 1873 and 1891.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 7 1\/2-inch-barreled military configuration became known among collectors as the Cavalry Model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts combination of strength, simplicity, power, and reliability made the design equally popular with soldiers, lawmen, ranchers, travelers, and civilians. The revolver became one of the defining firearms of the Indian Wars and American frontier period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example was manufactured only several months after the Battle of the Little Bighorn, at a time when U.S. cavalry units were actively campaigning across the Plains and Southwest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo documentation connects this particular revolver to a specific regiment, campaign, soldier, or engagement. Its U.S. markings and factory letter nevertheless establish its authentic government issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish and Exterior Condition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver displays an exceptionally attractive, honest service-worn appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steel surfaces have aged to a smooth mixture of gray, brown, and dark patina, with scattered areas of light peppering and minor oxidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no indication of excessive polishing or modern refinishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver has the appearance collectors hope to find on a genuine military Colt that saw decades of use, maintenance, and handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brass trigger guard and backstrap retain an attractive aged coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe one-piece walnut grip shows substantial military use and later cleaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front toe on the left side is chipped, and the grip has developed a rounded profile from long handling, wear, and loss of wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite this wear, the grip remains solid and complements the revolver’s overall appearance beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Condition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, the revolver is exceptionally strong for its age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe action is smooth and produces all four traditional clicks when the hammer is drawn rearward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cylinder indexes correctly and locks securely with very little mechanical movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trigger releases crisply, and the revolver dry fires properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe loading gate opens easily, and the ejector rod operates correctly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe action should still be cycled gently due to the revolver’s age. Fanning or forceful rapid cocking is not recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in excellent condition for a military black-powder revolver of this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt retains a mostly bright surface with strong, clearly defined lands and grooves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is minor wear, old fouling, and scattered evidence of past oxidation, but the bore is considerably better than typically encountered on heavily used U.S. Cavalry revolvers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strong bore may have been one reason the barrel was retained during arsenal refurbishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod U.S. Military Belt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver is accompanied by a period U.S. military leather belt measuring approximately 28 1\/2 inches in its current configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belt retains the correct U.S.-marked military buckle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather shows extensive service wear, age, finish loss, cracking, flaking, and surface deterioration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original black or very dark brown finish has worn away across numerous areas, leaving the aged leather visible beneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belt remains highly displayable and provides the correct military foundation for the revolver and holster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel 1881 Cavalry Holster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying leather holster is an original U.S. Model 1881 pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is faintly maker marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLANZ, OWEN \u0026amp; CO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCHICAGO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Model 1881 holster was designed to carry either the Colt Single Action Army with its 7 1\/2-inch barrel or the Smith \u0026amp; Wesson Schofield revolver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo fastening holes were incorporated into the flap so it could be adjusted to fit the two different revolver designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis versatile arrangement made the holster suitable for an Army that still had both revolver types in circulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flap has torn in the vulnerable area around its two adjustment holes and was glued back together at some point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe repair is visible and fully disclosed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather shows the expected age, flaking finish, creasing, cracking, and service wear associated with an original Indian Wars-era military holster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite its condition, the holster remains a highly desirable original example and displays extremely well with the revolver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Complete Indian Wars Cavalry Display\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal U.S. Cavalry Single Action Army revolvers are among the most desirable American military handguns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExamples retaining factory documentation, visible inspection marks, a matching frame and full-length barrel, and accompanying military leather equipment are increasingly difficult to obtain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mixed serial numbers should not be viewed as random civilian replacement parts. They are evidence of the revolver’s continued military life and arsenal refurbishment, when usable U.S.-inspected components were combined to return revolvers to service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scarce J.T.C. marks, factory-confirmed government shipment, early 1876 manufacture, full 7 1\/2-inch barrel, powerful mechanical condition, excellent bore, period U.S. belt, and Lanz, Owen \u0026amp; Co. M1881 holster combine into a remarkable frontier military rig.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA superb U.S. Cavalry Colt grouping with the appearance, documentation, and arsenal history to become a centerpiece in an advanced collection of Indian Wars arms, early Colt revolvers, or American military equipment.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company\u003cbr\u003eModel: Single Action Army, U.S. Cavalry Model\u003cbr\u003eSerial Number: 31311\u003cbr\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1876\u003cbr\u003eFactory Shipment Date: October 28, 1876\u003cbr\u003eFactory Recipient: United States Government Inspector at the Colt Factory\u003cbr\u003eShipment Quantity: 100 Revolvers\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .45 Colt\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 7 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: Approximately 13\"\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single Action\u003cbr\u003eCapacity: Six Rounds\u003cbr\u003eFrame and Barrel Inspector: J.T.C., John T. Cleveland\u003cbr\u003eFrame Serial Number: 31311\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Serial Number: 1311\u003cbr\u003eCylinder Serial Number: 7226\u003cbr\u003eTrigger Guard Serial Number: 17569\u003cbr\u003eBackstrap Serial Number: 30727\u003cbr\u003eGrip Number: 3640 or 8640\u003cbr\u003eLoading Gate Assembly Number: 4543\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the Colt Single Single Action Army\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBound by the Rollin White patent (#12,648, April 3, 1855) and not wanting to pay a royalty fee to Smith \u0026amp; 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\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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. It was chambered in .45 Colt, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt Single Action Army revolver, along with the 1870 and 1875 Smith \u0026amp; Wesson Model 3 \"Schofield\" revolver, replaced the Colt 1860 Army Percussion revolver. The Colt quickly gained favor over the S\u0026amp;W and remained the primary US 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt .45 is a famous piece of American history, known as \"The Gun That Won the West\". The Single Action army is a very popular firearm, even today, and it continues to be produced in various configurations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44034399928389,"sku":"ONSV25TGS016","price":5995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25TGS016MAIN.jpg?v=1764018453","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/product-2","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}