Manufactured in 1875 this is an exceptionally scarce Colt Cavalry Model revolver that was dual sub-inspected by both W. W. Johnson and A. P. Casey. The included John Kopec gold seal letter indicates that this revolver was previously listed in their survey and falls between nos. 17549 (an Artillery Model) and 17555 (a Cavalry Model). The revolver could not be located in the National Archives records, but it falls between revolvers nos. 17492 and 17586 that were both issued to the 7th Cavalry as of July 14, 1883. Kopec wrote, "We believe that these revolvers had been issued to these 'after-battle' replacement 7th Cavalry recruits during October of 1876, just some three months after the famous Custer Battle...The earliest recorded serial number of these issues was #17128 and the highest number within the group was #17647. Our subject revolver [#17553] certainly fits well within this group." These revolvers would have been issued to the 7th Cavalry that was reformed shortly after George Custer's command was wiped out at the Battle of Little Bighorn and were likely carried through the remainder of the Indian Wars. The disastrous Battle of the Little Bighorn fomented national outrage in both the U.S. Army and public. New recruits eagerly rushed to enlist, and these revolvers were issued to replacement troops known as Custer's Avengers. The 7th Cavalry subsequently fought in the Nez Perce War, Crow War, and Ghost Dance War, including at the infamous Wounded Knee Massacre. Because the revolver remains in original Cavalry Model configuration, Kopec also speculated that the revolver was issued to state militia regiment. The revolver has the early "bullseye" ejector rod head, "cavalry" hammer with bordered elongated knurling on the spur and cone-shaped firing pin. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the first style, "script" barrel address "+ COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. +" with slanted crosses at either end. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt, two-date/two-line patent marking followed by a small "U.S." property mark. The small "J" sub-inspection mark used by Johnson is stamped below the serial number on the trigger guard, underside of barrel, cylinder, back strap, and ejector rod housing. The "P" proof is found on the underside of the barrel and cylinder. The left side of the grip has a sub-inspected A.P. Casey cartouche. Kopec noted, "The cartouche of the Sub-Inspector A.P. Casey remains today in better condition than many of these 1875 manufactured examples we have encountered." Matching full or partial serial numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, grip back strap channel, cylinder, and barrel.

Very good, displaying the mixed patina associated an Indian Wars survivor with 30% of the original blue finish visible mostly on and under the ejector rod housing, top rear grip straps, and in the cylinder flutes. The grip is fine with high edge wear, minor dings and scratches mostly on the bottom and legible cartouche. Mechanically excellent. This rare inspector is missing in most Cavalry collections!