Make: Colt

Model: 1873 Cavalry, “Artillery” Configuration

Serial Number: 5993

Year of Manufacture: 1884

Caliber: .45 Colt

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Barrel Length: The barrel was cut to 5 1/2” during the conversion process.

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 one piece smooth walnut. The bottom has an "R.A.C." inspection mark. The grip has some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color

Finish Originality: This revolver was likely refinished at the time of conversion. Also common for the “Artillery” conversion was the mixing of parts. The barrel is marked "5779", the trigger guard "3834" with an "A" inspection mark, the cylinder "6815" with an "A" inspection mark and the backstrap with "4527". The backstrap and barrel inspection marks are faint, but both appear to also be an "A". The barrel has been altered for the new style of ejector mount.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 40% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered minor surface oxidation. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. The grip areas show handling wear. The frame’s case color has mostly muted. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear including turn-wear on the cylinder. There are tool marks around some screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. Most markings are clear, some markings are worn and incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly during operation. During disassembly, the timing of the hand and bolt require a little movement to remove the cylinder. 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: This revolver comes with a Spanish-American War altered Rock Island Arsenal M1881 holster, converted for use with the shorter-barreled revolvers.

Our Assessment: This revolver started out life in 1884 as a Cavalry Model SAA revolver with 7 1/2” barrel made for the U.S. Army. In their book “Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers”, Kopec and Fenn indicate that between 1900 and 1903, Colt altered and refinished 5,444 revolvers into “Artillery” models (5 1/2” barrel). Per Kopec and Fenn, “A single Artillery revolver often will have parts from three or four different Cavalry revolvers”. The “Artillery” moniker is a collector’s term, as the modified revolvers were most notable for their issue to U.S. Artillery units in the Spanish-American war, however the later 1900-1903 altered revolvers saw mixed serial numbered parts and some have been observed with blued frames rather than case-colored as they were rather urgently needed for the Philippine Insurrection.

We believe that this is one of those 5,444 revolvers converted by Colt into an Artillery model for use in the Philippines. The frame has some case color, indicating it did not receive the Arsenal Blue finish which was typically applied when these revolvers were altered or refurbished at Springfield Armory. While the parts are mixed, it is interesting that all of the inspected parts are from the Ainsworth period, just the first 15,000 serial numbers. In fact, parts are also present from the highly collected “Custer Range”. The revolver is in Very Good-plus condition with 40% of its current finish remaining. The action functions properly during operation, but the timing of the hand and bolt require a little movement to remove the cylinder. This revolver may have seen service during the Indian Wars when it was in its original Cavalry configuration and may have served again later in the Philippines after being converted to an Artillery model. This revolver must have a very interesting history, if only it could be told. All of the Colt 1st Generation revolvers are heavily collected, and this Cavalry Model conversion to Artillery Model will not be an exception, especially with a rare, properly altered M1881 holster. Please see our photos and good luck!