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LOT 3190
Documented Henry Nettleton Inspected U.S. Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver with John Kopec Silver Seal Letter - Serial no. 48198, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This highly desirable U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver was manufactured in 1878. This revolver is one of 3,000 Colt single action revolvers inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Henry Nettleton and Ordnance Inspector Captain John E. Greer. Colt single action revolvers that bear the “HN” sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton are some of the most collectible of all U.S. contract single action revolvers. The revolver has the Colt military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, hammer, and loading gate have a color casehardened finish. The trigger and screws are niter blue, and the one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The ejector rod has the “bullseye” head found on U.S. contract single action revolvers below serial number 113,000. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” The underside of the barrel is stamped with a “P” proof mark and the “H.N.” sub-inspection mark. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt “three-date/three-line” patent markings. The patent markings are followed by the “U.S.” property mark; the property mark on this revolver is typical of Nettleton-inspected single action revolvers and does not have periods after the “U” and “S” and has the upset marks that indicate the property mark was stamped on a casehardened frame. The bottom of the frame is stamped with the “H.N.” sub-inspection mark above the serial number. “H.N.” sub-inspection marks are also present on the trigger guard, back strap and the right heel of the grip. An “S” inspection mark is visible in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number “6020.” The matching serial number is located on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and barrel. The left side of the grip is stamped with the date “1878” above the final inspection mark which consists of the script initials “JEG” with an oval border. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the script sub-inspector initials “HN” in an oval.
The included John Kopec letter indicates the revolver was previously listed in his survey (June 28th 2007) and the serial number was not located within the National Archives records. “Judging from the nice overall condition of this revolver,” wrote Kopec, “it would be the opinion of this writer that this revolver had originally been issued
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to one of the state militia units rather than to a Cavalry regiment.” Kopec noted the mismatched Rinaldo A. Carr inspected cylinder (no. 1432) which dates manufacture to 1890. “The overall finish of this later cylinder corresponds perfectly with the finish of this entire revolver indicating that this cylinder had probably been substituted while both revolvers were in virtually new condition,” concluded Kopec. Based on delivery records, Kopec speculated that the revolver was issued to the State of Mississippi and the cylinder was likely swapped by these militia troops. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 80% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and some light spotting at the muzzle. The replacement cylinder retains 40% original blue finish mostly in the flutes with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The grip straps retain 85% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 40% original case colors remain on the hammer and frame. The frame shows evidence of light cleaning on the right side. The grip is also very fine with a slight chip at the toe, some minor high edge wear and some minor handling marks. The cartouches and date are crisp. The mainspring is a modern replacement. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000