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Serial no. 49347/W [frame]; 7018 [cylinder]; 98198 [triggerguard]; 119873 [butt], .45 caliber, 5 1/2-inch barrel with single-line Hartford address; letter P stamped on bottom. Blued finish. Case-hardened hammer and frame. Letter S stamped on frame under hammer. Civilian frame with no U.S. markings. Back of cylinder stamped with a K. Revolver sold with factory letter confirming configuration and shipment to George J. Keyes on June 4, 1883 in a shipment of 47 firearms. A reference note at bottom of letter states: `Records also show the return of the above revolver by the Government for cleaning, refinishing, barrel cut to 5 1/2`, and subsequently reshipped to the Commanding Officer at the Springfield Armory in Springfield, MA on January 29, 1902`. An authentication letter from noted Colt expert, John A. Kopec makes the following observations: `Your Artillery #49347 is unique in two different ways. First, the frame of this revolver was manufactured during the Henry Nettleton production period in 1878, but it was Sub-Inspected during the illness of Mr. Henry Nettleton by E.C. Wheeler. We can see his `W` single initial over the serial number on this revolver. This indeed is a very desirable variant. Secondly, we note the absence of the letters `U.S.` on the frame of this revolver. Since there is no indication of their ever having been there, we can only assume that they were never applied...` [Kopec notes also that several other Artillery models in the same serial number range were also lacking the U.S. markings. In an addendum letter sent out three months later, Kopec states: `This artillery is one [of of only 47] of the very rare `Keyes` revolvers and its serial number is listed on page 467 of our book: `A Study...`. Kopec goes on to explain that the lack of U.S. markings was not an oversight but in fact it was a civilian frame that was never subjected to ordnance inspection. This fact and the Wheeler Sub-Inspectio 20000 - 30000

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