This is a fine example of a desirable Henry Nettleton inspected U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry revolver with Colt factory letter that states this revolver was delivered to the U.S. Government inspector at the Colt plant on July 12, 1878. The revolver has a military blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap, casehardened frame, hammer and loading gate and one-piece oil finished walnut grip. The revolver has the early "bullseye" ejector rod head and "Cavalry" hammer with bordered elongated knurling on the spur and cone-shaped firing pin. The revolver was inspected by Capt. John E. Greer and the lower left side of the grip is dated "1878" and stamped with Greer's final inspection mark which consists of the script initials "JEG" in an oval. The Ordnance Sub-Inspector Herny Nettleton stamped his sub-inspection mark consisting of the script initials "HN" in a rectangle with rounded ends on the lower rights ide of the grip. Nettleton's block letter "HN" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel, the frame and trigger guard next to the serial numbers, the side of the cylinder, the left side of the hammer, the top of the back strap and the lower right heel of the grip. A "P" proof mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the "HN" sub-inspection mark and on the side of the cylinder. Colt "C" and "G" inspection marks are stamped on the barrel behind the ejector housing stud and "S" is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The full serial number, "48176" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and hammer. The partial serial number, "8176" is stamped on the barrel below the ejector housing and on the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number, "6008". The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the legend "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." using the third style, "Bold Block" lettering. The Colt three date/three-line patent markings are stamped on the left side of the frame followed by a small "US" property mark. Most "HN" inspected Colt Single Action revolvers were issued to the U.S. Cavalry regiments stationed on the frontier and saw hard services in the 1870s and 1880s. Original "HN" inspected revolvers are scarce.

Fine. The revolver retains 50% of the original blue and case-hardened finish with considerable amounts of original finish present in protected areas on the barrel, trigger guard, frame and hammer. The exposed areas of the blue components have aged to a blue-gray patina. The barrel and back strap have some scattered surface discoloration. The cylinder has a mottled gray-brown patina with crisp markings. The case colors on the frame and hammer are a silver gray patina with vivid case colors on the remaining balance. All the marking on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap are sharp. The grips are very good with moderate handling wear; the Ordnance inspection marks on the sides and heel are worn but legible.