No feathering by the front sight.

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That’s a handsome piece!
Congratulations!

 

Very Nice!

 

Although several parts bear government inspection marks, I don't think your gun was accepted by the government. That's why the frame is marked with the "Rampant Colt" instead of the "U.S." acceptance mark. I don't think the Ordnance Department bought any Colt SAA revolvers with this marking during this period.

That said, I see that your serial number (140066) falls among a group of Cavalry revolvers known to have been issued to the NY State Militia (SNs: 140064, 140065, and 140068). Although I don't know for sure, I suspect that all these militia guns had "U.S." stamped on their frames.

Rusty Edwards

 

Thanks RUSTY! WOW! My serial no. Is right in there, but in LIMBO!
The only basis I had, was in the book p. 264
The RAMPANT COLT, was just coming in.
And possibly this one slid by. They have the RAMPANT COLT, with the U.S. stamp on the circle. Mine doesn't have the U.S. though!
Thanks for the response!

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Terry, you mentioned there is a Colt letter on this gun? That will confirm civilian or US.

 

Thanks Rick, yes I forgot to mention that!
Its enroute to me now.
Ill post it when recvd!
T

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It is interesting to see the pictures of such a possible very late Cavalry SAA.

 

Nice Cavalry!

 

Now, time to join the Colt Collectors Association.

 

HMy mistake about the letter. I thought the seller had already obtained the Colt letter.

 

Rick, you understood correctly. The seller stated, the Colt letter said, this pistol was 1 of 250 sent to the U.S. Gov.
He was away from his business, and his secretary did not know where it was, so she mailed the revolver.
He responded he'd mail the letter.
Here's his description!
Description:
#140066
MADE 1891
COLT LETTER STATES ONE OF 250 GUNS SHIPPED TO U.S.GOVERNMENT
7 1/2" BARREL

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Just got an emailed copy from the seller.
Hard copy is enroute USPS to me.
Hth's

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I found some info that may explain how a non-U.S. marked gun became U.S. Government property. It came from page 133, Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study by Kopec & Fenn.

"The final group of observed New York Militia revolvers is that which we term as "Buy-outs." These were not originally U.S. Cavalry revolvers, but civilian revolvers which were purchased from a civilian outlet for use by the N.Y. Militia.... Naturally, it has no "U.S." frame marks, but displays only Colt's "Rampant Colt in a Circle" trademark with the 3-date-in-2-line patent arrangement...."

It appears this gun may have been part of a small group Colt SAA revolvers purchased from a civilian outlet, before being transferred to the NY State Militia by the U.S. Government. Further evidence of this can be found in my serial number list. The gun in question bears serial number 140066. My list shows that serial numbers 140064, 140065, and 140068 were all issued to the NY State Militia.

Rusty Edwards

 

Thank U, Ruster! U Have helped me to verify my pistol is an OFFICIAL, COLT CAVALRY!
Congrats to U! Thank U!
And my hard copy from Colt has arrived!
It's FULLY OFFICIAL!
I have the HARD copy, now!
Terry

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bumping this for my own curiosity

 

He's waiting to send it to Mr. K.

Called J Kopec, Some GREAT News!

Finally called John K. today, after I found out he was up & running. He made my Reservation for my Colt Cav 140,066. He automatically said 1891. Urs is close to the END. I'm 12th on the list to be called, to send in. He looked up serial numbers to make sure he hadn't seen mine. He said? I've...

www.coltforum.com

 

 

Well...

First, THANK YOU for having the courage to post your letter. Historical records such as these--and Kopec letters are historical records of sorts--are invaluable to those of us who study these.

Admittedly, I did not pay much attention to this thread because, in my mind, a a Colt Cavalry model with a rampant Colt marking was faked. Further research confirmed what I thought to be true, was not, based on my available literature, prior to this letter.

Now, your letter sets the record straight, and for this I THANK YOU PROFUSELY!!! It now reveals that any claims to a Cavalry or Artillery Model containing a rampant Colt marking were in error.

So, to set the record straight:

ANY COLT CAVALRY OR ARTILLERY MODEL WITH THE RAMPANT COLT MARKING HAS BEEN FAKED AT A MINIMUM WITH REGARDS TO THE RAMPANT COLT MARKING!!!

 

1st Edition of the Study lists a serial # of the gun supposedly exhibiting the Rampant Colt. That paragraph not found in 2nd edition. What's the explaination? Not mentioned by Kopec, just deleted. I think he should have pointed out the 1st edition was in error. Bad info taken as gospel by how many people? Gun was bought on the assumption that the info, and therefore the gun, was correct. Lot of money to find out Kopec is not infallible. What's next?
Who wrote the note on the copy of the letter?
I'M PO'd and rambling, sorry !

 

1st Edition of the Study lists a serial # of the gun supposedly exhibiting the Rampant Colt. What's the explaination? Was it later found to be faked? Bad info taken as gospel by how many people? What's next? Who wrote the note on the copy of the letter?

Thank you, Rick.
I was just getting ready to post, as I have only 1 Book.
1st edition of the study.
I purchased this gun, solely because JK
said the Colt workers messed up at times.
Upside down, U.S. , patent dates, etc.
End of Production, Colt Rampant slid thru.
John has in his book, #139,132
as a RARE MARKING.
I'm still at a LOSS HERE!
Why did John Write on my copy,
Terry, this is not you gun,
Circling my 140,066.
It's a Colt Record!

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Well honestly, it’s a prize to now know what “we” know - and that is priceless.

I guess JK wanted to make sure that letter didn’t go down the road with the gun being in error.

it’s still a fine looking gun, and it putting the last nail in the coffin about US marked pony frame is historic.

The gun is handsome. Enjoy it.

 

And that said, I’m going to print your letter and add it as an “errata” to my Study of book.

 

Well, that hurts! The learning process has begun, and you add this to your book of knowledge and move on to the next one.

 

Nothing Unique about it, we've all been there.

 

It's not at all unusual that information in a first edition can prove to be erroneous and corrected in subsequent editions - it's easier to remove that part, rather than offer up any explanation.

I have books in my library with errata sheets slipped inside prior to shipping, as the material was corrected after the print run.

Copying this information and making an insert is a very good idea - so's buying a later edition and using that for reference.

This is an expensive game - one where the old adage 'if it seems to be too good to be true, it likely is' - so multiple references are always worth the money.

 

2Horses.
You have done well to share your experience.

 

Thanks guys! At the time I didn't know there were other books.
My 1st book, then I found this pistol!
Thought I had hit the JACKPOT!!
But, then learned being on here with you guys, learning more & more.
Rick told me, his biggest investment is his LIBRARY!
I believe it now!!!
As everyone has said, we've all been burned.
Ruster had a good solution about my gun in the end.
Going to a militia.
Butttt, doesn't have my serial # in his data.
Eat some Turkey!!

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Yesterday, I so wanted to respond and ask; "what's your secret for finding such a treasure?" Today, I feel your pain and commiserate what a bunch of A-holes there are out there. Reminds me of computer virus writers. Hope you didn't pay an outrageous amount. Maybe shoot the crap out of it (at targets of gun forgers) as some form of revenge. Thanks so much for sharing- the knowledge and sunlight are appreciated.

 

This is the gamble that exists out there...is it better to buy an earlier edition and save a few bucks, and risk a costly error, or purchase a later edition at greater cost, only to have it, too, outdated?

 

Yes, it's a Gamble.
I didn't know about the other updated books.
Bought this one, thought I was ready to go.
Sure enjoyed the reading.
Working on a new purchase now.
Thanks for the reply.

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All around....except for the buyer, this entire episode just makes me grind my teeth. Someone knew exactly what they were doing to make up that gun.

Terry, thank you for the continued education.

 

This is a good example of why people should get a Kopec letter, preferably before they buy an expensive Colt Cavalry revolver.

Rusty Edwards