Post by deadwoodgultch on Jan 30, 2017 20:21:42 GMT
All,
This auction features one of the three Model 1873 Colt Single Action Army (SAA) revolvers that Captain Frederick W. Benteen of the 7th U.S. Cavalry reported unserviceable after the 1876 Battle of the Little Big Horn (see attached PDF document). When they were received at the Springfield (Mass.) National Armory, an ordnance board reported: “Of the three Colts revolvers turned in one has lost the ejector tube and two the ejector head.”
This revolver can claim the distinction of a pure Little Big Horn pedigree in that all serial numbers (5773) match and the piece has not been significantly altered. One of the other side arms, profiled in Wild West magazine (October 2012), had been altered, repaired and reassembled with different serial number parts. Originally identified as serial number 6659, this second “Little Big Horn” revolver is an excellent example of a refinished “Artillery” model with the shorter 5½ inch barrel. The third revolver (#5743) has not been identified or located to our knowledge.
For further information on SAA #5773, please refer to John A. Kopec and H. Sterling Fenn, Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers…a continuing story (1994), pp. 234-236. The James Julia link below accesses several photographs of this firearm.
This message may be forwarded or otherwise distributed to all interested persons and parties.
Lee & Michele Noyes, Editors
CBHMA Battlefield Dispatch
James D. Julia Auctions is putting the above up for sale in April.