Manufactured in 1878, this revolver was sub-inspected by Henry Nettleton and the butt is stamped "U.S.I.D." (purportedly for the United States Interior Department), and has a period nickel finish. Nettleton inspected a number of these nickeled models starting at serial number 47,000 to about 50,400 with the largest concentration coming in the 49,000 to 50,400 range. Nickel plated Cavalry Models have taken center stage to a grand debate among Colt and U.S. military firearms collectors that continues on to today. Four basic theories for the existence of highly controversial nickel plated U.S. Cavalry Model Revolvers have developed over the decades and are the following: 1) issued to Indian Scouts and Police; 2) special order "officers" revolvers; 3) surplus State of Virginia Militia revolvers sold to and nickel plated by Colt or commercial retailers; and 4) U.S. Navy revolvers. For the history related to this ongoing debate see "A Study of Colt Single Action Army Revolver" pages 249-258. The revolver was examined by noted Colt historian and author John Kopec who recorded his observations in the accompanying bronze seal letter of authentication. Kopec states the revolver was previously listed in his survey and was originally viewed at the 1973 Las Vegas Show. The revolver was shipped to the U.S. government on August 12, 1878 (copy of factory letter included). The revolver was not located in the records kept at the National Archives, but these records show that entries from nos. 49013-50112 are listed in Artillery Model configuration, indicating that this grouping was issued to Cavalry units prior to being recalled. Kopec concluded, “Because our subject revolver remains today in its basic Cavalry configuration it is also a good indication that it had been issued to a state militia.” He noted that in August 1878 240 revolvers were issued to the District of Columbia and in 1879 an additional 245 revolvers were shipped to Michigan. “The chances are therefore very good that our subject revolver had been issued to one of these entities,” wrote Kopec. He continued, “After being released as surplus its new owner sent this revolver back to Colt’s to be nickel plated. During this process it was stamped ’45 CAL’ on the left trigger guard bow. We assume that the plating was accomplished at Colt’s because they frequently did not plate the hammers, trigger, base-pins or screws because of tolerance issues. We have noted that the trigger fitted to this revolver is a later replacement. During the plating process the letters stamped ‘U.S.’ were partially filled with nickel, so one of its subsequent owners (pre-1973) had these letter re-stamped showing a ‘ghost’ of the original stamping. We also believe that the letters ‘U.S.I.D.” had been stamped on the butt-strap at the juncture…No other revolvers that we have encountered had been stamped with these letters.” This revolver is mentioned on page 250 in “A Story Of The Colt Single Action Army Revolver": "In our studies over the past several years have consisted of a thorough survey of over twelve hundred U.S. Colt Single Action Revolvers, existing today in collections throughout the world. Only one revolver surveyed is stamped "U.S.I.D." on the butt strap.” The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line address and the underside is marked “P” and “H.N." directly ahead of the cylinder pin. The left side of the frame is marked with the three-line patent dates followed by "U.S.". The loading gate is marked with the assembly number "1102". The cylinder is marked with the letter "P" and "H.N.". "H.N." is also marked on the bottom of the frame over the serial number, below the serial number on the trigger guard, and on the top of the back strap. The full matching serial number is marked on the frame, trigger guard and back strap with the partial number "9391" on the cylinder and barrel. "45 Cal" marking is present on left side of forward trigger bow. "Bulls-eye" ejector rod head, blade front and frame notch rear sights. Fitted with a smooth one-piece walnut grip with a faint oval cartouche on the bottom of both sides and "H.N." on the bottom right side. Provenance: The Gateway Collection

Fine. The revolver retains 80% of the period retailer applied nickel finish with some scattered minor flaking and areas of smooth mottled gray patina. The grip is very good with some moderate wear on the lower edges, a few small minor dents on the bottom right side and a few minor dings and handling marks. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically functions, although needs work as hammer has only three clicks. A sold representative example of the always intriguing nickel plated Henry Nettleton sub-inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model revolver.