BUTLER INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 119034. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, reattached full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and large “U.S”. Mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip that has last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Left side of the grip is marked with a “JGB” (Capt. John G. Butler) inspector’s cartouche under the date “1887”. Right side of the grip bears the “DFC” (David F. Clark) sub-inspector cartouche. Bottom left edge of grip, bottom of bbl, bottom of the frame & cyl also have the “DFC” sub-inspector initials. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. In addition to the reattached front sight, both sides of the bbl have peened & dressed tool marks which areas have been artificially aged. This revolver was part of the 11th Contract which was signed Nov. 4, 1886 and completed in Feb. & March 1887. This revolver falls just before the listed serial range for the John G. Butler series as listed in Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers…A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, which lists the contract as being in the #119047 through #121238 range. The revolvers of this era were still being issued to active front line cavalry units and frequently saw hard service under adverse conditions, and are rarely found today with high orig finish. Large numbers of them however, were issued to various militia units where they remained with little use until they were sold as obsolete and surplus. The fact that this revolver remains in orig configuration, having escaped the recalls of the 1890s and early 20th century where the majority of them were altered to artillery configuration, speaks to the thought that it was issued to a militia unit. CONDITION: Fine, all matching. Bbl retains about 75-80% glossy orig blue with the restoration as noted above; frame retains about 65-70% orig case colors, brilliant in the front gullets, moderately faded elsewhere and beginning to turn silver; hammer retains about 80% orig case colors; cyl retains most of an old restored finish with strong dark blue in the flutes, faded on the outer diameter to a blue/brown patina; trigger guard & back strap retain strong blue in sheltered areas, turning a little plummy on the front & back straps. Grip has a couple of chips in the edges, shows moderate edge wear with a few light nicks & scratches and retains most of its strong orig finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-54741 (12,000-17,000) – Lot 1272

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1272	$19,550.00	BUTLER INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 119034. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, reattached full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and large “U.S”. Mounted with a 1-pc walnut grip that has last four digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Left side of the grip is marked with a “JGB” (Capt. John G. Butler) inspector’s cartouche under the date “1887”. Right side of the grip bears the “DFC” (David F. Clark) sub-inspector cartouche. Bottom left edge of grip, bottom of bbl, bottom of the frame & cyl also have the “DFC” sub-inspector initials. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. In addition to the reattached front sight, both sides of the bbl have peened & dressed tool marks which areas have been artificially aged. This revolver was part of the 11th Contract which was signed Nov. 4, 1886 and completed in Feb. & March 1887. This revolver falls just before the listed serial range for the John G. Butler series as listed in Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers…A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, which lists the contract as being in the #119047 through #121238 range. The revolvers of this era were still being issued to active front line cavalry units and frequently saw hard service under adverse conditions, and are rarely found today with high orig finish. Large numbers of them however, were issued to various militia units where they remained with little use until they were sold as obsolete and surplus. The fact that this revolver remains in orig configuration, having escaped the recalls of the 1890s and early 20th century where the majority of them were altered to artillery configuration, speaks to the thought that it was issued to a militia unit. CONDITION: Fine, all matching. Bbl retains about 75-80% glossy orig blue with the restoration as noted above; frame retains about 65-70% orig case colors, brilliant in the front gullets, moderately faded elsewhere and beginning to turn silver; hammer retains about 80% orig case colors; cyl retains most of an old restored finish with strong dark blue in the flutes, faded on the outer diameter to a blue/brown patina; trigger guard & back strap retain strong blue in sheltered areas, turning a little plummy on the front & back straps. Grip has a couple of chips in the edges, shows moderate edge wear with a few light nicks & scratches and retains most of its strong orig finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-54741 (12,000-17,000) – Lot 1272 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

BUTLER INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.