Colt Single Action Army  Artillery Model (72231) 

Serial number 31482. Made in 1876. 45 LC caliber with a 5.5” barrel.  This gun is a nice sharp gun with excellent clear markings. The metal has a even gray patina.  This gun comes with a factory letter. The frame is a Louis Draper inspected frame. Draper was one of the rarest of the US inspectors. The Colt Artillery models were modified Colt cavalries that were disassembled and refurbished and then reassembled making no attempt to put the guns back with matching serial numbers. This was done during the Spanish American war when the newly adopted Colt double action guns in 38 Colt failed to have the knock down power needed.