C. Kenneth Moore, otherwise known to collectors as writer Ken Moore, was one of the pioneering researchers and writers on the subject of Colt Single Action Army revolvers. He contributed considerably to the collecting hobby and fraternity with his research being presented in the following books: 'Colt Single Action Army Revolvers - US Alterations', 'Colt Single Action Army Revolvers and the London Agency', 'Colt Revolvers and the U.S. Navy 1865-1889', 'Colt Single Action Army Revolver Study - New Discoveries,' and contributing as cowriter to the seminal reference book, 'A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver' with John Kopec and Ron Graham.

Like many of the preeminent gun researchers and writers of the 20th century, Ken Moore kept a rather detailed chronicle of serial numbers in a survey of every black powder frame Colt Single Action Army revolver he crossed paths with, laid eyes on personally, or collected data for. Whether these were guns he saw in auction catalogs, collated details from other sources, saw in person at shows, or did an evaluation on a weapon, Moore's card survey (seen in the above photos) encompasses a range from Serial number 1 up through roughly #186,000. The total number of guns represented in this survey totals over 20,000 guns.

The survey includes an individual card for every serial number he viewed or had collected data on. The cards generally have the configuration the gun was known to be at the time of filling out a card (barrel length, stocks, components, etc.), and in the case of Cavalry/Artillery known guns, he would list out composition, markings, and other pertinent information.  Other historical data, such as previous known collections the gun was a part of, as well as known history was generally listed. The gun is usually noted where it was viewed, seen, or noted to have surfaced.  He even noted if he knew whether Kopec or Graham had written a letter for the gun. Moore kept this survey going for well over 30 years.

Archival Letter Service With Moore's Survey Details (example below):

Arms Chronicle offers collectors a peak into Moore's records, with the individual card details added to our Archival Research Letter format via PDF to customers for Cavalry/Commercial & Civilian guns for a $40.00 fee for Cavalry configured guns, and a $50.00 fee for Artillery configured guns (which may include multiple serial numbers and multiple cards referenced).  View an example Letter below.