Colt Single Action Cavalry Model Revolver manufactured in 1880. This revolver was inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark (DFC) and Lt. David A. Lyle (DAL) and is stamped with "DFC" and "DAL" sub-inspection and final inspection marks in the appropriate locations. The revolver has a military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer have a color casehardened finish. The one-piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The revolver has the "bullseye" ejector rod head used until approximately serial number 113,000. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the "Elongated Block Letter" address "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". Small "D.F.C." sub-inspection stamps are located on the underside of the barrel, the bottom of the frame and on the side of the cylinder. A "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the sub-inspection mark and on the side of the cylinder. The left side of the frame is stamped with the Colt three dates/three line patent marking followed by the "U.S." property mark. The assembly number "2375" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. Colt "C" and "G" inspection marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel behind the ejector housing stud. A "G" is stamped below the serial number on the trigger guard and back strap. Colt "B" and "O" inspection marks are stamped on the rear face of the cylinder between the chambers. "Y" is stamped on the front of the ejector housing and "H" is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The full serial number, "54584" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "4584" is stamped on the underside of the barrel and the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the date "1880" above the Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of the initials "DAL" enclosed in an oval. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the Ordnance sub-inspection mark consisting of the script initials "D.F.C." is a rectangle.

The revolver is very fine and and retains 50% of the original blue and color casehardened finish. The original "cavalry" style hammer with cone firing pin has been period-replaced with a civilian hammer with concave shaped firing pin; the hammer has the same elongated bordered knurling on the spur as the Cavalry Model revolvers. The blue finish on the exposed portions of the barrel has aged to a smooth, silver-gray patina. Protected areas of the barrel retain most of the original blue finish. Traces of the feathered polishing marks are visible on either side of the front sight blade and above the ejector housing stud. The barrel legend is faint but fully legible. The serial number, "P" proof and "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark on the underside of the barrel are crisp. The cylinder has a smooth, silver-gray patina with traces of the original blue finish in the flutes. The partial serial number, proof mark and sub-inspection stamp are crisp. Significant amounts of military blue finish is present in the protected areas of the trigger guard and back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer retain about 60% of the casehardened finish; the finish has faded but strong traces of the case colors are visible. The frame screws are in very good condition and retain most of the original niter blue finish. The sub-inspection marks, serial number, patent dates and "U.S." property mark are crisp. The grip is very fine with minimal handling wear. The date, Ordnance final and sub-inspection marks are crisp. The period initials "FNA" are scratched in block letters on the left heel of the grip. The action is crisp and functions perfectly. This is a very fine original example of an early, Indian War, D.F.C. sub-inspected Colt Cavalry Model Single Action revolver.