[Rick]

Well, I only have a phone to check out the pics but I can tell you the trigger guard number and K are totally bogus. Can’t see the barrel address or BS number clear enough but this needs closer inspection. Cylinder may be ok.
When I get on computer with close ups I’ll get a better look.

 

[Rick]

if legit it should be a G.
Rethinking it might be too early for the G stamping.

 

[Rick]

I suspect sending the gun to Kopec and paying upwards of $400 (with two way shipping) is a total waste of funds.
Having a letter from Kopec verifying the gun is a fake (which it obviously is) will make it even harder to sell unless you burn the $400 letter and deny that you ever got it. The letter from Colt will allow you to sell the gun as a military SAA to someone who wants one and does not mind (or realize) that he is buying one that has been altered.

Another issue. Bolt guides. On 5xxx, non existent. On 15xxx much less pronounced.

 

[Rick]

A couple of observations. According to the Factory letter this revolver was apparently returned to the factory for alteration or refurbishment under the 1895-96 Contract. Under the contract a total of 800 guns were refurbished with their 71/2' barrel left intact for issuance to state Militias and 1,177 were altered and shipped as Artilerys. These Factory Artilerys are distinguishable from the the 1898 Alterations in a number of regards. They were initially given all matching SNs (However, many, including Mr. Kopec, the matching barrels were removed for rework and then mixed upon reassembly prior to their shipment to the Military. So they are now, with rare exception found with only 4 matching SNs.). The matching SNs were replaced or augmented to include the full SN on the BS, TG, Cyilinder and Barrel. Apparently a number of different stamps were used to accomplish this, including one or more stamps used on the Model 1877 DA revolvers. These Artilerys were proofed and the "K" was stamped on the proofed guns, but apparantly only on the proofed cylinder ends.

If the subject Artillery 114141 was indeed sent to colt under the 1895-96 Contract it was apparently altered as an Artillery as there is no indication from the limited pictures provided that it was a Militia gun. As such, it is a fairly scarce Colt Alteration as compared to 16,317 Artillerys produced by the SA in 1898. To me, the SN pictured on the Frame appears to be a smaller Mod 1877 font, judging from the amount of space between the frame edges and the first and last numbers.

Because the gun now has non-matching to the frame SN's and because the Factory letter does not indicate that the gun was later returned to the Factory for refurbishment, under the 1901-03 Contract or otherwise, I would conclude that the non-matching parts were later added by persons other than the Factory.

Thanks for your thoughts. When I saw the date on the letter that it was returned wheels started turning. NY Militia or pre militia came to mind. Thanks for enlightening us.