Highly desirable U.S. Cavalry Colt Single Action Army Revolver, serial #6590, 7.5″ barrel, manufactured in 1874. The gun originates from the same lot as some revolvers known attributed to George Custer's 7th Cavalry, as described in the letter of authentication from Colt historian John A. Kopec. In part: "This revolver was manufactured during 1874. The Ordnance Sub-Inspector for this contract was OW. Ainsworth. Historically; we could not locate this revolver's serial number in the National Archives records available to us. The nearest cited example to our subject revolver's serial number is #6559, a revolver which was reported as being damaged at the famous Custer Battle on June 25, 1876. This same revolver (#6559) was subsequently shipped to the Springfield Armory from the 'Department of the Dakota' on August 4, 1877.
Our subject revolver's serial number originated from within Lot Seven (#6517-#7527). A few of the higher numbered examples attributed to Custer's Seventh Cavalry are found in this series. Along with #6559, we find that the revolver #7047 was found near the Custer Battlefield circa 1933. Charlie Reynolds, Custer's Scout, was reputed to have owned the Cavalry revolver #6664.
This revolver #6590 was privately returned to Colt's possibly during the 1930's for an unknown modification. This writer's opinion would be that a new barrel and cylinder were fitted during this period. When these old revolvers were returned to Colt's for 'work' it was Colt's custom to stamp most of the major components of the revolver with a three-digit 'bin' number. In many cases this 'bin' number was followed by the letters 'B' or 'N' depending if the revolver was to be blued or nickel plated. If the revolver was not destined to be refinished These letters were not assigned. Our subject revolver also received the later 'three-date-in-two-line' patent format. An un-circled 'Rampant Colt' trade mark was also applied to the left frame area. This later 'Rampant Colt' trademark was incorporated into Colt's procedures during the 1930's. This revolver was also stamped with Colt's 'VP' verified proof mark on the left triggerguard bow, along with an up-side-down ampersand (&) on the right rear triggerguard bow. This ampersand mark indicated that the revolver had been returned to Colt's for a special assignment. However the only remaining 'bin' numbers found on this revolver during our examination were found on the underside of the frame and on the hinged area of the loading gate. This 'bin' number was found to be #630. It is also presumed that the earlier Colt's replaced barrel, cylinder and ejector assembly would also have had this '630' applied, however those replaced components have again been replaced." The letter goes on to enumerate fourteen observed modifications to the revolved sustained after leaving the supervision of the Ordnance Department.
Complete with a scarce Rock Island Arsenal Model 1881 leather holster mounted on a cloth cartridge belt with large "U.S." brass buckle.
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