This highly desirable U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver was manufactured in 1878. This revolver is one of 3,000 Colt Single Action revolvers inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Henry Nettleton and Ordnance Inspector Captain John E. Greer. Colt Single Action revolvers that bear the "HN" sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton are some of the most collectible of all U.S. contract Single Action revolvers. Renowned Colt historian and author John Kopec recently examined this Cavalry Model and he recorded his observations in the accompanying silver seal letter of authentication. The revolver was not found in the available National Arches records. The nearest serial number in those records was no. 48871, which was assigned to a Private Ritt of Troop C, 10th Cavalry as of July 20, 1881. Nos. 48523 and 48525 were issued to Co. F, 6th Cavalry. Kopec noted that several Cavalry Models in the 48000 serial number range are in Artillery configuration. Obviously, this revolver escaped such a fate. The revolver may have been issued to a state militia. However, Kopec was of the opinion that due to the condition, the revolver was found in the packing cartons of new and unissued revolvers discovered at the National Armory in the early 1920s. The most famous of these found revolvers are featured on the dust cover to “Cavalry & Artillery Revolver…a Continuing Study.” One of those revolvers, no. 48953, was sold by Rock Island Auction Co. (see lot 144, August 2024 Premier Firearms Auction). The found revolvers were sold by arm dealers such as Francis Bannerman and W. Stokes Kirk. Kopec called out the grip markings of a “JEG” cartouche and the date “1878” as “perfectly correct and original,” although the date is positioned slightly higher than the norm. It was after Kopec’s examination of the revolver that the 1900’s style hammer was replaced with a period correct “HN” inspector marked hammer. The later production hammer is included. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". The underside of the barrel is stamped with a "P" proof mark and the "H.N." sub-inspection mark. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "three-date/three-line" patent markings. The patent markings are followed by the "US" 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. Additional "HN" sub-inspector marks appear on the frame, trigger guard, cylinder, back strap, hammer, and bottom of grip. Another "P" proof mark is stamped on the cylinder. Matching full or partial serial numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, barrel, and cylinder. The right rear triggerbow has a Colt factory rework mark stamped on it. Writer is not sure what work was performed, most likely mechanically as the finish is original. The left side of the grip is stamped with the date "1878" above the final inspection mark which consists of the script initials "JEG" (John E. Greer) with an oval border. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the script sub-inspector initials "HN" in an oval.

Very fine. The barrel and ejector housing retain 50% original blue finish, the cylinder retains 75% original blue finish, and the grip straps retain 80% original blue finish with brown-gray patina on the balance. The frame retains 70% vivid original case colors. The correct replacement hammer retains traces of original case colors. The grip is also very fine with high edge wear, some scattered minor dings, and legible date and cartouches. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of a U.S. Henry Nettleton inspected Colt Cavalry Model revolver.