My Collection

Dave Lanara Restoration

KidColt

In my travels, I am always seeking desirable Colt firearms.  Call me when you sell!  I will share what I find with you on this page.  Click the pic to enlarge. Enjoy!

I have just found an incredible Colt Cavalry.  The gun below was shipped to the Fourth Cavalry in January of 1874.  The Fourth was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, and participated in most of the southwestern actions against the Comanche, Apaches and Mexicans.  After Custer's defeat at The Little Big Horn, the Fourth was sent up to reinforce General Crook and take revenge on the Sioux.  Truly a historic military arm, complete with all the correct inspectors marks and the extremely rare CO K 4 CAV stamp on the right side of the frame.  The serial number places it in the last batch of the first shipment of Army's from Springfield.  It is the lowest known number with the CO K stamp, and has the lowest surveyed numbered ejector housing on military SAA, (Re :Kopec) and may be the lowest numbered, unit marked cavalry ever found.  After 1874, the military did not allow unit stampings on cavalry arms.

This gun has just been authenticated by John Kopec, collector, renowned author and expert on military Colt single actions.  His findings have indicated that it is a significant find, since the lowest previously known 4th Cavalry was 600 numbers higher!  This illustrates the wide range of numbers issued to cavalry units throughout the west, and proves that there are many interesting finds to be made, even in the 21st century.

In a stroke of luck, I was able to successfully bid and win at auction the trapdoor carbine shown below.  Incredibly, it to was issued to CO K, 4th Cavalry.  There are very few carbines known that are so marked, and the markings are identical to those on the Colt.   K Company was comprised of 40 troopers, with two lieutenants,a captain and several scouts, plus one civilian interpreter.  These guns are extremely significant in our western heritage because we know instantly to what regiment and company they were issued.  See the western history section for more information on K Company and the 4th Cavalry.

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CLICK HER TO GO TO THE HISTORY SECTION

THE ABOVE WEAPONS NOW RESIDE IN THE              AUSTIN TEXAS  HISTORY MUSEUM.