LOT 5 CUSTER 7TH CAVALRY SAA ARTILLERY MODEL REVOLVER RETURNED TO COLT AS ''UNSERVICEABLE'' IN 1895

serial #5395, 45 Colt, 5 1/2'' barrel with a bright near excellent bore showing a little mild frosting and crisp rifling throughout. This is an extremely desirable revolver that, despite having been later updated to artillery configuration, remains an important and very romantic piece. According to ''Colt Peacemaker Ready-Reference Handbook'' by Cochran, on page 14 it indicates the frame gun was issued to the 7th Cavalry on January 31, 1874 as part of a 755-gun shipment from Rock Island Arsenal and is also in the chart on page 249 of ''Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers…a Continued Study'' by Kopec and Fenn as a second quarter batch revolver issued to the 7th. The serial number is further listed on pages 270 and 271 as part of Lot 5 ''unserviceable'' cavalry revolvers returned to Colt in 1895 and listed on page 271 as a known serial number in artillery configuration. The included factory letter indicates that while the earlier records have been lost, the gun was converted to artillery configuration in 1903 with expected 5 1/2'' barrel and shipped back to Springfield Armory in a 500-gun shipment on May 18. As one would expect the serial numbers are now mixed as follows: barrel 2270, triggerguard 114263, backstrap 120171 and the cylinder, loading gate and grip un-numbered. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain perhaps 30% original bright blue mostly along the protected underside areas with the balance toning to a pleasant mild gray-brown patina. The cylinder is similar with silvering along the high edges and strong bright blue in the flutes and the frame retains about half of its smoky case-hardening mixing with deep gray-brown patina and showing some sparse pinprick pitting and a few wisps of nice vibrant colors. The gripstraps are mostly a smooth deep plum-brown patina, the sides of the trigger show good fire blue and the markings remain strong. The smooth walnut grip rates fine showing light dings and an old abrasion at the right toe. The base retains a legible ''RAC'' inspector stamp while the right side has a faded inspector cartouche and what appears to be a 1903 date. The action will require some mechanical attention as the half cock notch is worn but timing and lock-up are very good with hammer strong at full cock and the revolver includes the aforementioned factory letter and five period Benet-primed cartridges. It is extremely likely that the frame of this revolver was present at the infamous Battle of Little Bighorn, in its original Cavalry form, in 1876. This is a very fine piece suitable for any fine American antique martial arms collection or indeed any historic collection. (13G12103-29) {ANTIQUE} (10,000/15,000)