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Documented and Identified Philippine Insurrection Colt Model 1873 Artillery Model Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,750.00 USD Estimated At:5,500.00 - 7,500.00 USD
Documented and Identified Philippine Insurrection Colt Model 1873 Artillery Model Revolver
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Estimate: $5500 - 7500
This is a scarce example of a Colt Model 1873 Artillery Model revolver documented by Springfield Research Service (SRS) as being issued to Corporal Frank Tomlinson of Troop A, 1st Nevada Volunteer Cavalry. According to the SRS records, Frank Tomlinson was from Kinnedale, Texas, and enlisted in the 1st Nevada Volunteer Cavalry on May 18, 1898. He was promoted to Corporal on November 21, 1899. The 1st Nevada Volunteer Cavalry arrived at Manila, Philippine Islands on December 6, 1898 and was in action in the Philippine Insurrection until September 30, 1899. Troop A returned to the United States and was mustered out of Federal service at Presidio, San Francisco on November 15, 1899. The revolver is further documented by an authentication letter by Colt Single Action expert John A. Kopec and is identified by serial number on page 125 of COLT CAVALRY & ARTILLERY REVOLVERS by Kopec and Fenn as one of the "Artillery Revolvers Issued in 1898 to Troop A, 1st Nevada Volunteer Cavalry". The left side of the frame has the Colt two-date in two-line 1871 and 1872 patent markings and is stamped with a small "U.S." property mark. The revolver components have the typical mixed serial numbers found on "Artillery" revolvers. The frame serial number "19008" indicates that it was manufactured in 1875 and sub-inspected by A.P. Casey. The hammer is a standard U.S. Cavalry pattern with elongated deep-checkered spur. The barrel has the second style ejector housing and the late oval ejector rod head. The barrel is stamped with the partial serial number "0775" underneath the ejector housing and the underside is stamped with a "P" proofmark and the sub-inspector John T. Cleveland initials "J.T.C." (1876-77). The top of the barrel is marked with the "Condensed Block/Style II" address. The side of the cylinder is stamped with a "P" proofmark, the partial serial number "7580" and the "HN" sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton. The trigger guard is numbered "7363" and is stamped with the "A" sub-inspection mark of Orville W. Ainsworth. The backstrap is not serial numbered and is identified in the Kopec letter as a factory replacement part. The loading gate is stamped with assembly number "9".
BBL: 5 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 19008
Condition: Good. The revolver shows the wear expected of a weapon carried in combat in the tropics and has a silver-gray patina with scattered age discoloration. Metal surfaces have scattered light pitting. The edges of the barrel and cylinder are rounded from holster wear. A small notch has been filed across the sighting groove on the top of the frame. The sides of the grip show handling wear and the edges of the grip heels are rounded. The butt has numerous small scratches and there are two 1/4 inch holes in the right butt. The barrel address is faint; inspection marks and serial numbers are generally clear. The action is tight and crisp but the hammer will not hold at half-cock. This is a rare example of a fully documented, early production Colt Model 1873 revolver with Spanish-American War modifications identified to an individual cavalry trooper who carried the revolver in combat during the Philippine Insurrection. This is a unique and historic Colt Artillery revolver.