Colt SAA
High Condition 1874 Colt "U.S Artillery" SAA .45 Colt 5.5" - SERIAL # 3559
100% CORRECT - DAVID F. CLARK "DFC" MARKED GRIPS
Sold For:
$5,425.00
Circa:
1874
Caliber:
.45 Colt
Atlas Collectible Firearms is extremely proud to present this high-condition U.S. Artillery Model Colt Single Action Army chambered in the classic .45 Colt. This historic 1st Generation revolver features a 5 ½-inch barrel and a frame wearing the very early 2nd-year production serial number #3559, dating its manufacture to 1874. As is correct for authentic Artillery Models—which were Arsenal-remanufactured during the Spanish-American War era using mixed components—this example features period-correct mismatched serial numbers, including the barrel (#9771), trigger guard (#132631), backstrap (ending in 325), and cylinder (#13209).
The firearm retains a remarkable amount of original finish for a 19th-century military sidearm, with the barrel showing approximately 50% thinning original blue and the frame displaying generous amounts of silvery case-hardened patina. The trigger retains visible original fire bluing, and the hammer still shows traces of original case coloring. The one-piece factory walnut grips feature a visible "D.F.C." (David F. Clark) inspector mark on the butt, alongside a prominent hand-carved "ATW" on the right side, likely the initials of a soldier who carried this piece into history.
This Artillery Model is equipped with the correct flat-face half-moon front sight, fixed rear sight, bullseye cylinder pin, and doughnut-style ejector rod. The "U.S." property mark on the frame remains strong and crisp. Mechanically, the revolver is in excellent condition, cycling with all four legendary hammer clicks and featuring a bore that remains near excellent with only scattered oxidation stains. This is a 100% correct and exceptionally high-condition example of one of the most sought-after military variants in the world of Colt collecting.








