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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: 40,000 - 60,000
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