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LOT 1164
Fine Henry Nettleton Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action
Army Revolver with Upside Down “US” Property Stamp - Serial no. 48450,
45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
grips. This fine original 1878 production U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action
Army revolver is one of only 3,000 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 Army revolvers.
A referenced Kopec letter (not included with this lot) with another Nettleton
inspected revolver, close in range with serial number 48269, previously sold
by Rock Island Auction (August 2025 Lot 3156) provides some insight into this
example, serial number 48450, offered: “Although this specific Cavalry Model
[serial number 48269] was not located in the National Archives records, the
closest example cited was no. 48523 which was issued to Co. F, 6th Cavalry
as of August 3, 1888. Therefore there was a possibility that this revolver was
also issued to the 6th Cavalry.” Kopec believed that revolver was issued to a
state militia and escaped Artillery Model refurbishment, and was later sold as
surplus after World War I. This revolver appears to have had a similar history.
The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the one-line Hartford address and
the frame has the three-line Colt patent markings followed by a “US” property
mark; besides being an unusual error as originally stamped upside down, the
property mark on this revolver is otherwise typical of Nettleton inspected
Single Action Army 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. Henry Nettleton’s small “H.N.” sub-inspection initials are
stamped on the underside of the barrel, bottom of the frame above the serial
number, trigger guard below the serial number, side of the cylinder, on the
right butt of the grip, and also on the side of the arsenal refurbished, correct
pattern replacement hammer. “P” proofmarks are stamped on the underside of
the barrel and side of the cylinder. Matching visible full serial numbers on the
bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with matching “8450” on the
cylinder, and assembly number “56” on the loading gate. The left side of the grip
has the “1878” date above an oval bordered script letter “JEG” cartouche of John
E. Greer, and the right side of the grip has Henry Nettleton’s script letter “HN”
cartouche.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% plus original blue finish, 70% vivid original case
colors, with some minor surface freckling, a small patch of pitting on the left
of the barrel, and crisp markings in the metal overall. Grip is also fine, with
defined edges, light handling marks, a small nick on the lower left, and legible
cartouches. Mechanically excellent. A fine example of a desirable U.S. Henry
Nettleton inspected Colt Cavalry Model revolver!
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500