Colt U.S. contract Single Action Cavalry Model revolver manufactured in 1880 and inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark (D.F.C.). The revolver has the Colt military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, hammer and loading gate are color case-hardened. The one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The revolver has the 'bullseye" ejector rod head utilized until about serial number 113,000 and the cavalry style hammer with elongated, bordered, knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the 'elongated block' address: "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt 'three-date/three-line' patent markings followed by the "U.S." property mark. The assembly number "435" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. "P" proof marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. The "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel, bottom of the frame above the serial number and on the side of the cylinder. A faint, script, "DFC" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the lower right side of the grip. The full serial number, "60531". Is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "0531" is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing, on the side of cylinder and penciled on the inside grip back-strap slot. All of the visible serial numbers match.

Fine. The barrel has considerable blue remaining on the top and bottom and the 'feathered' polishing marks are visible on either side of the front sight blade and above the ejector housing screw boss. The barrel legend, serial number, proof and inspection marks are sharp. The ejector housing retains half of the blue finish on the protected top and bottom and has silvered on the contact points. The cylinder has 40% of the blue finish intact with some surface roughness and one small area of light pitting on the side. The trigger guard and back strap have about 40% of the blue finish with a silver patina on contact points. The case colors on the frame, hammer and loading gate have aged to a mottled gray-brown patina. The sanded, reoiled grip is in good overall condition with smooth sides and a number of shallow dents along the right heel. The date and Ordnance final inspection mark on the lower left side of the grip are not visible. The action is crisp and functions well. This is a very good, original, example of a D.F.C. sub-inspected, Indian War, U.S. contract Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver.