Manufactured in 1871, the first year of production, less than 10,000 of these revolvers were produced in total. Officially called the Colt House Model revolver, they are also referred to by a couple nicknames, one being "the Cloverleaf Model", due to the uniquely shaped cylinder. The other name the revolvers have is "the Jim Fisk Model", due to being the gun used in the murder of the wealthy New York financier, Jim Fisk. The top of the barrel has the standard two-line address flanked by Maltese crosses. The matching serial number is marked on the butt, bottom of the barrel, and in ink inside each grip panel. It has a pinched blade front sight and frame top groove rear sight, and is fitted with a pair of nicely figured smooth walnut grips. Provenance: The Pete Holder Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection

Rare with any finish, this is an exceptionally fine example exhibiting 90% of the bright original blue finish and 75% plus of the original silver "wash" finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina or attractively aged brass. The highly figured varnished walnut grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and retaining most of the varnish. Mechanically excellent. These early production Colt House Model revolvers are rarely found with this much of the original bright blue and silver finish!