Model 1873 Cavalry Model Single Action Revolver from a lot of 300 delivered to the U.S. Army on April, 30, 1890 from the twelfth government contract for 2000 revolvers signed on November 12, 1889. This late contract revolver bears the script initials of Ordnance Inspector Captain Stanhope E. Blunt (SEB) in a rectangle on the left side of the grip below the date "1890". The right side of the grip is stamped with the script initials of Ordnance Sub-Inspector Renaldo A. Carr (RAC). The revolver barrel, ejector housing, cylinder trigger guard and back strap have the subdued blue military finish. The frame, hammer and loading gate are color casehardened. Grips are oil-finished walnut. The ejector rod has the oval head which was adopted around serial number 113,000. The hammer is the standard cavalry pattern with elongated deep cross-hatched spur and cone-shaped firing pin. The top of the barrel is marked with the elongated block Hartford address. The left side of the frame is stamped with the Colt 'three-line/three-date' patent markings followed by "U.S.". The barrel is stamped with a "P" proof mark perpendicular to the bore followed by the "R.A.C." sub-inspector's initials. "R.A.C." is stamped on the top of the frame above the serial number and on the side of the cylinder. The cylinder is also stamped with a small "P" proof-mark. The revolver has the distinctive Colt "K" inspector's mark stamped on the end of the ejector housing and on the trigger guard and back strap below the serial number. The full serial number, "131728" is located on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number, "1728" is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Excellent. The revolver retains 98% of the original military blue finish. The barrel has the 'feathered' polishing marks on either side of the front sight blade. There are some traces of finish discoloration on the right side of the barrel between the address and the top of the ejector housing. The cylinder has some minor edge wear on the front and flutes and has a minor drag line showing very limited use. The trigger guard has nearly all of the original finish, showing only light handling on the back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer have nearly all of the original finish with strong case colors. The screws are in fine condition with some minor screw driver marks and most of the niter blue finish. The grips are in excellent condition with only very minor storage marks and several minor dents in the butt; the date and ordnance inspection marks are extremely sharp. All markings are very sharp. The action functions perfectly. This is an exceptional example of an original production Model 1873 Cavalry Revolver. It would be extremely hard to up-grade this revolver and it would be a stand-out piece in any advanced Colt or U.S. Martial Arms collection.