
Buffalo Soldier’s Colt Single Action Army 1873 US Artillery 1885 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3,675.00
LSB#: WY241008CW069
Model: 1873 Single Action Army, 1st Generation, Early Blackpowder Frame, “Artillery”-style
Serial Number: 114550
Year of Manufacture: 1885 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt, Black Powder
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The markings on the left side of the frame are too faded to read except a prominent “US” mark. The top of the barrel is marked “COLTS PT FA MFG CO HARTFORD CT USA” The frame is marked “114550” The trigger guard is marked “17258 / J”. The butt of the frame is marked “71048” The bottom of the barrel is marked “d / RAC” The loading gate is marked “276” The cylinder face in marked “RAC” Its worth noting that the barrel does not have a serial number.
Barrel Length: 5 1/2”.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the topstrap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is 2 piece smooth walnut. The grip has some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The edges are soft and the wood is generally slightly shy to the metal. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: This revolver was likely refinished at the time of conversion. The parts are not original to the frame, mixing of parts was also common for the “Artillery” conversion.
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray. The rifling is well defined. There is moderate erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 5 out of 10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 5% of its current metal finish. There is some case color visible on the frame, mostly muted. The exposed surfaces have mostly r gone to a light patina. Some areas show polishing, There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches with some spots of minor erosion. The screwheads are tool marked. Some markings are missing, remaining markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The hammer does not catch at the safety notch or the half cock. When at full cock, the hammer has excessive over-travel. The cylinder lockup shows a small amount of play on all six chambers. The trigger pull has notable creep. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Leather Holster & John A Kopec letter of authentication (See Our Assessment), and a hand written letter from the a purchaser who states that he bought this pistol from the daughter of a Buffalo Soldier, last name Smith, who passed in Sweetwater Texas,1942 at the age of 100 years old. Smith was stationed in Ft Concho who then retired in Sweetwater. According to the letter this was his daily carry pistol. This revolver also comes with an article on the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Concho.
Our Assessment: The revolver in question has been authenticated and identified as a Colt U.S. Artillery revolver with several noteworthy historical details. The letter from John A. Kopec, an authority on Colt firearms, states that the revolver’s frame dates back to 1885 and was originally part of a U.S. Cavalry revolver series inspected by David F. Clark. The trigger guard bears a serial number from 1875, associated with revolvers issued to the U.S. Seventh Cavalry and potentially linked to post-Custer Battle reissued examples. The backstrap, serial-numbered to 1881, was part of a cavalry revolver and was refurbished during the Spanish-American War era.
The barrel and cylinder of this revolver were replaced during a refurbishing process at the Colt factory, marked with the initials “RAC” for Rinaldo A. Carr, an ordnance inspector. These components bear no serial numbers and represent later additions. The revolver’s grips, believed to be original, have been narrowed over time, resulting in the removal of inspector cartouches. This suggests the revolver underwent extensive refurbishment between 1900 and 1903, including adjustments to its appearance and functionality.
The revolver retains faint patent marks and a “DFC” stamp on the frame, indicating its original inspection by David F. Clark. Despite its extensive history, the revolver shows traces of its blue finish on the trigger guard and backstrap, consistent with Colt factory refurbishments during the early 1900s. It exhibits a gray patina overall, indicative of its age and use, with no signs of further refinishing beyond the Colt factory work.
A handwritten note accompanying the revolver recounts its ownership by a Buffalo Soldier named Smith, stationed at Fort Concho. Smith reportedly used this revolver as his daily carry pistol after retiring to Sweetwater, Texas. The personal history adds a layer of intrigue, connecting the firearm to a historical individual and emphasizing its practical use in both military and civilian life.
Additional documentation about Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Concho provides context for the revolver’s history, highlighting the significance of the Tenth Cavalry’s role in frontier defense and infrastructure development. The revolver’s connection to this history ties it to a broader narrative of post-Civil War military operations, indigenous campaigns, and the integration of African American soldiers into the U.S. Army.
In conclusion, this Colt U.S. Artillery revolver represents a remarkable piece of American history, encompassing military issuance, refurbishment, and personal use by a Buffalo Soldier. Its combination of historical provenance, physical condition, and association with key historical figures and events make it a highly desirable artifact for collectors and historians alike.
