This high condition U.S. contract Colt Cavalry Model single action revolver was manufactured in 1884 and sub-inspected by David F. Clark. Renowned Colt historian and author John Kopec examined this Cavalry Model and summarized his conclusions in his included November 8, 2019, dated gold seal and ribbon letter of authentication. The revolver is a new listing to the survey and fall between Cavalry Model revolvers nos. 114162 and 114181 in the survey. The revolver was not listed among the records held at the National Archives. Kopec believed the revolver escaped the Ordnance Department recall in 1893 and "has remained in its near-new condition because of being issued to a state militia, where it remained in storage at one of the state armories until it was returned unused to the Springfield Armory." Speaking to the condition, Kopec wrote, "This revolver remains today in 'as new' condition as one would ever hope to find. Evidently it had remained in the accompanying holster since it had been purchased as surplus from the Armory. The factory applied military blue finish remains with almost complete coverage. The cylinder shows a few 'turning streaks'. The triggerguard and straps show almost complete coverage. The frame's case-colors remain complete with some natural mild fading occurring throughout the years. Truly a beautiful revolver to behold!" Kopec also examined the accompanying Rock Island Arsenal M1881 holster. "The overall condition of this holster was found to be very well preserved, it has kept its contents well throughout the years." The included factory letter states the revolver was sold to the U.S. government and delivered to the U.S. government inspector at the Colt plant on December 31, 1884. This was a delivery of 150 guns. The revolver has the early style bullseye ejector rod head and cavalry style hammer with elongated bordered knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel has the roll stamped one-line Colt Hartford address. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a “P” proof mark and the U.S. Ordnance sub-inspector initials "DFC.” The left side of the frame is stamped with the Colt three-date/three-line patent marking followed by the “US” property mark. “DFC” is stamped on the bottom of the frame above the serial number. A “P” proof mark and “DFC” sub-inspector mark are stamped on the cylinder. The full matching serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The matching partial serial number “4172” appears on the cylinder and barrel. The left side of the grip is stamped with the date of inspection (“1884”) above the final inspection mark which consists of the script initials “FH” for Captain Frank Heath. The right side of the grip is stamped with script sub-inspector initials “DFC”. The small “DFC” mark is stamped on the left grip heel. The U.S. M1881 holster features two snap holes on the flap in order to accommodate the S&W Schofield and the Colt Cavalry Model revolvers. The flap is marked "S.S&W" and "C" to denote the correct hole for either revolver on the interior. The exterior of the flap is marked "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL" along with "DCL" sub-inspector initials and "JM" initials.

Excellent. The barrel and ejector rod housing retain 95% plus original blue finish, the cylinder retains 95% plus original blue finish, and the grip straps retain 90% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The frame and hammer retain 97% plus original case colors. The grip is also excellent with a few handling marks legible "DFC" cartouche and crisp date and "FH" cartouche. Mechanically excellent. The holster is exceptionally fine with most of the original finish, wear visible on the belt loop. Both an outstanding and well preserved U.S. Colt Cavalry Model revolver with holster that will be a worthy addition to any SAA or U.S. military collection no matter how advanced.