4202

COLT US "BUY-BACK" SAA REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
COLT US  BUY-BACK  SAA REVOLVER.
Cal. 45 Colt. S# 49687. Bbl. 5 1/2". 6 Shot fluted cyl. Full nickel finish. Right side of frame has hand carved initials that appear to be "WJH". 1 Piece walnut grips. Bullseye ejector head. Frame & grip straps have matching numbers. A historic revolver w/ very unusual history detailed in the accompanying John A Kopec letter. Markings include civilian style "45 CAL" marking on left side of trigger guard w/ "H.N." inspectors initials on several parts including bbl., trigger guard & cyl. Frame has "W" sub inspection mark. Kopec details the unusual history of this buyback revolver including the lack of the "US" marking on frame, several replacement parts & added nickel finish. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Colt factory letter providing the following information " Serial Number: 49687 / Caliber: .45/c / Barrel Length: Not Listed / Finish: Blue / Type of Stocks: Not Listed / Sold To: United States Government / Delivered to: U.S. Government Inspector / Address: located at the Colt plant / Date of Shipment: August 14, 1878 / Number of Same Type Guns in Shipment: 200 / Remarks: as noted above, the records do not provide information with regard to the barrel length of subject revolver or the type of stocks. However, this is usually an indication of a 7 1/2" barrel length and walnut stocks as these were considered standard issue for that time period". Also included is a 1992 Dated Kopec letter providing the following information " We have today examined your Colt U.S. Cavalry revolver #49687 for the purpose of an authentication. This revolver was an old listing in our survey and falls between #49674 and #49689 both of which are also Cavalry Mdls. in this survey. / Due to the fact that this revolver shows traces of old "original" nickel plating, and is stamped "45 CAL" on the left triggerguard bow, we have determined that is should be classified as a "Buy-Back" revolver. A "Buy-Back" revolver is one which was originally shipped to the U.S. Government, then it was issued to one of the state militia units. The state to which the revolver(s) was issued, then in turn decided to sell the revolvers upon the open market. These brand new revolvers with a military finish were then purchased by an agent, who in turn sold them back to Colt as a reduced price. Colt could not offer these U.S. Government issue revolvers to their agents without altering them in some way so that they could not be recognized as U.S. Government property. In this case Colt decided to stamp the triggerguard with the civilian designation "45 CAL", and then to completely nickel plate the revolver. The revolver was then ready to sell through one of their regular trade agencies. / The fact that this revolver was shipped to the United States Government, but was not stamped "U.S." indicates that the "U.S." stamping was overlooked by the Ordnance Inspector Capt. John E. Greer. There are several known such revolvers within this series. / This revolver is unique in that the frame was sub-inspected by E.C. Wheeler an Ordnance Sub-Inspector who acted in this capacity during the illness of Henry Nettleton who's initials "H.N." are found in several locations throughout this revolver. There are several other known examples within this series which are sub-inspected with the "W" letter. These are: #49696, #49707 and #49732. / We find the following minor modifications on this revolver which deviate from its original condition: The barrel has been shortened to 5 1/2 inches; the ejector head is a replacement; the base pin is a replacement; the hammer is a replacement; the cylinder has been severely battered on one side". CONDITION: revolver has a general faded gray appearance w/ scattered light pitting retaining sm. amounts of nickel finish in protected areas. Cyl. shows heavy dents. Grips have age darkened worn appearance showing wear w/ dents & sm. chips around butt. Sound mechanics. Dark lightly pitted bore. (01-18971/DS). ANTIQUE. $3,000-4,000.