This is an exceptional example of a U.S. Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Model Revolver manufactured in 1874. This revolver is pictured and described on page 250 of "A Study of The Colt Single Action Army Revolver" by Graham, Kopec and Moore and was formerly part of the Captain William Peterson Colt collection. The caption also states in part that "These revolvers were repurchased by Colt's, nickeled, and probably sold through their regular trade agents." This U.S. Contract Single Action revolver was inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Orville W. Ainsworth and is stamped with the distinctive small "A" sub-inspection mark on the underside of the barrel (as well as a "P"), the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, top of the back strap and side of the cylinder. The early style small "U.S." property mark is stamped on the left side of the frame behind the Colt two line, two patent date marking. The top of the barrel is marked with the early script address "+COLT'S F. A. PT. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+" with slanted crosses at either end. The complete matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap, and the partial serial number "2443" is marked on the cylinder and barrel under the ejector housing. The assembly number "930" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The "P" proofmark is also present on the cylinder. A "C" inspection mark is stamped in the hammer slot and on the rear face of the cylinder. The revolver has the bullseye ejector rod head and First Style ejector housing with barrel boss. The revolver was fitted with a one-piece walnut grip when it was photographed for Kopec's book and presently is fitted with a smooth one-piece ivory grip. In the book John Kopec details how in June 1874 the State of Virginia requested the Ordnance Department to issue Virginia several hundred revolvers under the Militia Act. Virginia then sold the un-issued revolvers to a broker who resold them to Colt. Colt had the revolvers nickel plated by the Adams Nickel Plating & Manufacturing Co., of South Windom, Connecticut, and fitted with ivory grips to distinguish them from government contract Single Action Cavalry revolvers. Colt then sent the nickel plated U.S. contract revolvers to Colt distributors for commercial sale.

Excellent. The caption for the photograph of this revolver on page 250 of "A Study of The Colt Single Action Army Revolver" describes it as in "near new condition". The revolver retains nearly 98% of the nickel plated finish and shows only very minimal handling wear. The hammer retains more than 98% of the bright casehardened finish with vivid case colors. All of the markings are crisp and clear. The action is tight and functions perfectly. The ivory grip is very fine, having shrunk slightly with a few minor age cracks on the bottom and upper left side and showing a pleasant aged patina and attractive grain. Each toe is slightly rounded. This is an outstanding well documented example of a scarce variation of the Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Model revolver.