Single Action Army – U.S. Indian Agent Shipment
US Indian Agents, in the late 18th century and early 19th century, were primarily responsible for implementing federal policy, including assimilating Native Americans into American culture. Their roles also included preventing conflict between natives & settlers, maintaining a relationship with the US military, and supervising trade between natives & settlers. The mid-19th century saw public opinion began to turn on the Indian Agents, as they were largely seen as corrupt & inefficient – many took advantage of their remote locations and the living conditions on the reservations.
Their positions were later transferred from the Army to civilian supervision, under the Board of Indian Commissioners. Their role changed slightly, and through the end of the 19th century their responsibilities included providing English language education, land reform favoring private ownership over communal living, and to “…induce his Indian to labor in civilized pursuits”.
Indian agents were eliminated in 1908, and their positions were replaced mostly by doctors & teachers, who were thought to be more effective to assimilate.
This Colt wears its history – its shows finish loss, with most of the Colt now a gray patina. Some good, original blue remains in protected areas within the cylinder flutes, ejector housing, triggerguard, and several other scattered areas. Its original grips are worn nearly completely smooth, evidence of its likely hard use in the American plains & deserts. The end of the barrel shows damage from long ago, appearing to have been dropped, but the now smooth rounded edges suggest significant use & carry after this damage occurred. Even through this, this Colt has survived mechanically sound.
Included Colt Archive Letter confirms this revolver as 1 of 75 shipped to the U.S. Indian Agent on May 26, 1899. As of June of 2024, only three US Indian Agent Single Action Army revolvers were known to still exist, making this the 4th known to surface. An absolute historical treasure of the American West, worthy of any collection, and an excellent Colt representation of the turbulent history of American Settler & Native American relations.
