This David F. Clark sub-inspected U.S. Contract Cavalry Single Action revolver was manufactured by Colt in 1884 as part of the 9th Contract with the Ordnance Department. This revolver was rejected during the Ordnance inspection process and the bottom of the frame was stamped with a "C" (Condemned) above the "D.F.C." Ordnance sub-inspection mark and serial number. After the conclusion of the 9th Contract Colt was allowed to salvage those revolvers and components rejected by the Ordnance inspectors. Colt utilized the condemned frame, barrel and cylinder to complete a commercial Single Action Army revolver. Colt placed the revolver in the commercial inventory and sold it on October 6, 1888. This revolver is complete with a detailed gold seal evaluation letter from Colt expert John A. Kopec. The letter explains the condemnation/salvage process and provides a detailed description of the revolver. Colt refinished the revolver to commercial Single Action Army standards with the high polish blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. As part of this process Colt utilized the late style, oval, ejector rod head. The frame, hammer and loading gate are color casehardened and the one-piece walnut grip has a high polish varnish finish. The underside of the barrel and the cylinder retain the Ordnance "P" proof mark and "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark. A "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark is stamped on the bottom of the frame above the serial number. The "C" condemnation mark is deeply stamped on the bottom of the frame. The left side of the frame is not stamped with the "U.S." property mark found on fully inspected U.S. contract revolvers. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the 'Elongated Block' Hartford address. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt 'Three-Line/Three-Date' patent marking. The Colt commercial "45 CAL" marking was roll-stamped on the left front trigger guard bow during the rebuild process. The assembly number "406" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "3835" is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial number match. This is a very rare and fully documented example of a 9th Contract U.S. Cavalry Model Single Action revolver that was condemned as part of the Ordnance inspection process, salvaged by Colt in accordance with the terms of the contract with the Army and completed and sold as a commercial Single Action Army revolver.

Exceptionally fine. This revolver retains 85% of the factory blue and color casehardened finish. The barrel and cylinder have 90% plus of the commercial blue finish with minor finish wear on the muzzle and leading edges of the cylinder. The ejector housing has 80% of the blue with wear on the leading edge and flaking on the body. The bottom of the trigger guard, grip strap and back strap show handling wear and have a smooth gray patina on contact points. The frame, hammer and loading gate retain 95% of the casehardened finish with strong case colors. The trigger and screws have most of the fire blue finish. The frame, trigger guard and grip screws are excellent. The grip is very fine and retains 90% of the piano finish varnish; both sides of the grip have scattered, minor, dents and handling marks. The markings, including the Ordnance condemnation mark, proof and sub-inspection marks are crisp. The action functions perfectly. This is a very fine, documented, example of a very scarce condemned U.S. Contract Single Action Army revolver that was sold commercially by Colt as a Single Action Army. Provenance: The Corner Stone Collection.