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LOT 51
1880 Production David F. Clark
Sub-Inspected Colt Single Action
Cavalry Model Revolver with John
Kopec Gold Seal Letter - Serial no.
54884, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips.
This U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry Model Revolver was
manufactured in 1880 and inspected by Ordnance Sub-
Inspector David F. Clark (DFC) and Lt. David A. Lyle (DAL).
This revolver was examined by noted Colt historian and
author John Kopec and he recorded his observations in the
accompanying gold seal letter of authentication. The revolver
was a new listing to Kopec’s survey and falls between nos. 54877
(unknown classification) and 54886 (New York militia revolver) in the survey.
The revolver was not located in the records held at the National Archives but falls between nos. 54192
issued to the 7th Cavalry and 55923 of the 6th Cavalry listed in those records. Kopec believed the
revolver was issued to a state militia like Florida, a state that received 50 revolvers in March 1880.
The “G91K” and the fractional marking “RU” over “R” markings on the grip is noted by Kopec as “very
strange” and “is certainly not a state militia marking.” The markings had not been encountered before.
He concluded that the markings was “a commercial property inventory marking after this revolver
had been released as surplus from the militia service. The western gold and silver mines were at full
production during this period, so there could have been some connection there.”
The revolver is stamped with “DFC” and “DAL”
sub-inspection and final inspection marks in the
appropriate locations. The revolver has a military blue
finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer
have a color casehardened finish. The one-piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The revolver has the bullseye ejector rod
head used until approximately serial number 113,000. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the elongated block
letter address: “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.”. Small “D.F.C.” sub-inspection stamps are located on the
underside of the barrel, the bottom of the frame, the side of the cylinder and on the right heel of the grip.. A “P’ proofmark
is stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the sub-inspection mark and on the side of the cylinder. The left side
of the frame is stamped with the Colt three-dates/three-line patent marking followed by the “U.S.” property mark. The assembly number
“2628” is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. Colt “C” and “G” inspection marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel behind the
ejector housing stud. Colt “B” and “L” inspection marks are stamped on the rear face of the cylinder between the chambers. “S” is stamped in the
hammer well above the firing pin hole. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial
serial number “4884” is stamped on the underside of the barrel and the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The lower
left side of the grip is stamped with the date “1880” above the Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of the initials “DAL” enclosed in an
oval. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the Ordnance sub-inspection mark consisting of the script initials “D.F.C.” is a rectangle. The
upper left side of the grip is stamped: “RU/R” followed by “G91K”.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 60% of the original blue and color casehardened finish. The barrel has a smooth, blue-gray patina with considerable amounts of blue finish
in protected areas. The feathered factory polishing marks are visible on either side of the front sight blade and above the ejector housing stud. The barrel legend, proof mark and sub-
inspection mark are crisp. The cylinder has edge wear and some scattered flash pitting. All of the cylinder markings are crisp. The trigger guard and back strap have typical handling wear
on contact points. The markings are crisp. The frame, hammer and loading gate have 80% of the casehardened finish. The frame screws are fine and retain substantial amounts of the
original niter blue finish. The grip is fine with limited handling wear and crisp markings. Mechanically excellent. This is a totally, original, Kopec documented example of an early “D.F.C.”
sub-inspected Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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