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The underside of the barrel is stamped with a “P”
proof mark and the “H.N.” sub-inspection mark. “C” and
“G” are stamped on the barrel immediately behind
the ejector housing stud. The left side of the frame
is roll-stamped with the Colt three line/three date
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. The
loading gate is stamped with the assembly number “3”.
The left side of the hammer is stamped with the “H.N.”
sub-inspection mark. “H.N.” sub-inspection marks are
also present on the cylinder, the trigger guard, back
strap and the right heel of the grip. The side of the
cylinder is stamped with a small “P” proof mark and
the rear face is marked with a “P” and a “T”. The full
serial number is located on the bottom of the frame,
the trigger guard and the back strap. The partial serial
number, “8340” is stamped on the barrel beneath the
ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. All of
the visible serial numbers match. A “C” Colt inspection
mark is visible in the hammer well above the firing pin
hole. 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 factory
letter confirms the serial number, caliber and finish
with the barrel length and type of stocks not listed
(usually an indication of a 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut
stocks). The revolver was part of a 100 gun shipment
that went to the U.S. Government Inspector located
at the Colt plant on July 12, 1878. The included John
Kopec silver seal letter authenticates the revolver and
concludes that due to remaining in original Cavalry
configuration this SAA was stored at one of the state
militia armories during the 1893 recall.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains
85% plus of the original blue and casehardened finish
overall. The barrel shows only very minor finish loss
at the muzzle; the “feathered” polishing marks are
visible on either side of the front sight blade and
above the ejector housing stud. The barrel address,
serial number, proof and sub-inspection mark are all
crisp. The cylinder exhibits minor edge wear and light
handling marks. The serial number, proof mark and
sub-inspection mark are very sharp. The trigger guard
and backstrap have sharp markings; the backstrap
retains attractive “streaked” original blue finish. The
frame, hammer and loading gate retain 85% of the
casehardened finish with strong case colors; wear is
limited to some minor finish loss and light scratches
on the left side of the frame between the hammer
and trigger screws and the lower portion of the recoil
shield. The frame and hammer markings are very
crisp. The frame screws and trigger retain most of
the fiery niter blue finish. The grip is very fine with
very minor handling marks overall; the date, sub-
inspection and final inspection marks are extremely
sharp. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptional
original example of a highly desirable Henry Nettleton
inspected U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry revolver that
would be suitable for the most advanced Colt or U.S.
martial arms collection.
Estimate: 45,000 - 65,000