"COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 17599. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual artillery configuration with 5-1/2" bbl, slightly altered front sight with 1-line block letter address. Bottom of bbl does not have the serial number but does have "JTC" (John T. Cleveland) sub-inspector initials along with other inspector marks on the bottom. Frame bears serial number "17599", the trigger guard "55063" and the back strap "136560". The cylinder is also unnumbered but has a tiny "J" and "P" inspector initials on the outer diameter. It has a third type ejector rod housing with bull's eye ejector rod head. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates with a tiny "U.S.". Grip is 1-pc walnut with tiny brass tacks completely around perimeter on both sides, with three Indian head pennies inlaid into the grip on each side. Pennies are dated "1889 through "1907". Bottom right side of grip has the inspector initials "J" / "R.A.C.". The butt strap is hand stamped "B / 35". Center of butt strap has a lanyard swivel similar to that this cataloguer observed on other Philippine assigned revolvers. Each side of grip has a partial cartouche visible, having been mostly obliterated by the pennies. This revolver is specifically identified on p. 122 of Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, as having been shipped directly from Colt, in a rush order, to Battery D, 5th U.S. Artillery, Fort Sheridan, Illinois on Feb. 20, 1901. The authors speculate that Battery D was preparing to debark for the Philippines. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains 70-75% strong Colt blue and the cylinder 65-70% Colt blue, strong in the flutes. Ejector rod housing retains about 80% thinning Colt blue. Frame & hammer retain most of their Colt restored case colors, thin on recoil shield loading gate & top strap, bright in sheltered areas. Back strap is mostly a gray patina with blue at top and on butt strap. Trigger guard retains about 60% Colt blue. Grip has chips missing from the toe and at the frame with a chipped left heel all as the result of the brass tacks weakening the areas, otherwise remains sound with a hand worn patina. Hammer is not strong in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. Further research should be conducted regarding Battery D, 5th U.S. Artillery. 4-32215 JR368 (4,500-7,500)"
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