Manufactured in 1878 and inspected by Captain John E. Greer and Ordnance Sub-Inspector Henry Nettleton ("HN"). The revolver has the distinctive HN sub-inspection marks stamped on: (1) the left side of the hammer, (2) underside of the barrel, (3) bottom of the frame, (4) bottom of the trigger guard, (5) top of the back strap, (6) side of the cylinder and (7) right grip heel. "P" proofmarks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the side and rear face of the cylinder. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the date "1878" above the final inspection mark which consists of the script initials "JEG" surrounded by an oval border. The script initials "HN" surrounded by and oval border are stamped on the lower right side of the grip. The "US" property mark is stamped on the left side of the frame. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the Style II address: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." The three-date/three-line Colt patent markings are roll-stamped on the left side of the frame ahead of the US property mark. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "5962". The full serial number "48264" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap, and the partial serial number "8264" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The ejector rod has the 'bullseye' head and the hammer has bordered, elongated knurling on the spur. The barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap have the Colt military blue finish and the frame, hammer and loading gate are color case hardened. The trigger and frame screws have a fire blue finish. The one-piece walnut grip is oil-finished.

Very fine. This revolver retains 85% of the blue and color case hardened finish. The barrel has nearly all of the blue finish with the 'feathered' polishing marks on either side of the front sight blade and above the elector housing stud. The ejector housing has some light edge wear. Most of the blue finish is present on the trigger guard and the polishing marks are present on either side of the trigger guard bow. The blue on the back strap has thinned slightly but retains about 90%. The cylinder has been lightly cleaned but has about 85% of the blue finish. The frame and hammer have been lightly cleaned and show polishing marks; about 70% of the original case colors remain. Most of the fire blue finish is present on the frame screws and trigger. The serial numbers, Colt markings, and Ordnance markings are all extremely sharp. The grip is in excellent condition with extremely sharp date, final inspection and sub-inspection marks. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is a very fine example of a U.S. contract Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver with distinctive and very desirable Henry Nettleton sub-inspection marks.