U.S. Contract Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver manufactured in 1887 and inspected by Captain John G. Butler (JGB) and Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark (DFC). The left side of the revolver grips is stamped with the date "1887" above the script initials "JGB" without the oval border that usually encloses the grip inspection marks. Revolvers with this distinctive JSB inspection mark are extremely rare. The revolver has the late, oval ejector rod head adopted in 1885. The hammer has elongated, bordered knurling on the spur. The barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap have the Colt military blue finish, and the frame, hammer and loading gate are color casehardened. The one-piece walnut grip is oil-finished. The barrel is roll-stamped with "Elongated Block Letter" address: "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "Three-Date/Three-Line" patent marking followed by the "U.S." property mark. The small, block-letter "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel, the bottom of the frame above the serial number, the side of the cylinder and on the bottom of the left grip heel. Small "P" proofmarks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. The script initials "DFC" surrounded by a rectangle are stamped on the lower right side of the grip. The assembly number "807" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The full serial number "119977" is located on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "9977" is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Very fine. This revolver is all original and retains 85% of the original blue and 70% color casehardened finish. The barrel has most of the blue finish with the delicate feathered polishing marks visible on either side of the front sight blade and above the ejector housing stud. The blue finish is thin at the muzzle and on the end of the ejector housing. The cylinder has about 80% of the blue with edge wear and some flaking near several flutes. The blue on the back strap and grip strap is thin. The frame, loading gate and hammer retain more than 90% of the casehardened finish with strong case colors. The Colt and military markings on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder are crisp. The grip remains in very fine condition; nearly all the original oil finish remains, and wear is limited to a few minor handling marks. The "1887" date and "JGB" script final inspection mark are sharp. The "DFC" sub-inspection mark on the right side of the grip shows slightly more wear but remains fully legible. The small, block, "D.F.C." inspection stamp on the left grip heel is crisp. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is a very fine example of an 1887 production, U.S. contract Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver with rare script "JGB" inspection mark.