The factory letter confirms it was one of 100 deslivereted to the U.S. Government Inspector at Colt on November 8, 1882, in .45 caliber and with blue finish. The grips and barrel length are not listed, but the letter specifically notes this usually indicates the standard 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut grip. The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame is stamped with the three-line patent dates marking followed by "U.S." David F. Clark's sub inspection "DFC" stamp is located on the underside of the barrel, bottom of the frame, bottom of the grip, and cylinder. A "P" proof mark is found on the barrel and cylinder. The left side of the grip has the date "1883" (faint) above a script letter cartouche, and an additional cartouche is stamped on the right side. The ejector rod has the correctly bullseye head. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder ("4075"), and barrel ("4075"). This U.S. revolver is documented in Kopec and Fenn's "Cavalry & Artillery Revolver…a Continuing Study" on page 75. The authors noted "a rather strange" deeply stamped square type marking located between two chambers on the rear cylinder face. The author's continued, "It has been assumed by other writers that a 'square' stamped onto a Colt revolver signifies that the revolver was a model. The only noted significant change during this production area was the introduction of steel into the manufacturing process. Could it be that this was the 'model revolver' on which the first steel frame was introduced?" Unfortunately, the authors did not have an answer. Provenance: Dennis Durgen collection

Very good plus, retaining 20% original blue finish strongest on and under the ejector rod housing and traces of silvered out original case colors in the protected areas, otherwise a mottled brown-gray patina. The grip is fine with high edge wear, minor dings and scratches and faint, lightly visible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This documented, untouched D.F.C. inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Revolver with unusual cylinder marking is a definite must have for U.S. or Colt collectors who think they have seen it all!