Manufactured in 1880 (for the cavalry) and inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as having been originally sold to the U.S. Government and delivered to the U.S. Government inspector at the Colt plant on May 19, 1880, as part of a 100 gun shipment. This revolver was subsequently modified to the "Artillery" configuration and refurbished by Colt in 1902. The revolver has a blued 5 1/2 inch barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap with casehardened frame, hammer and loading gate. The top of the barrel is roll stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The under side of the barrel is stamped with the sub-inspector's "D.F.C." initials and two "P" proof marks. The bottom of the frame is stamped "D.F.C." above the serial number, and the left side has the "three dates in three lines" patent markings followed by the "U.S." property mark. The side of the cylinder is stamped with "D.F.C." and a "P" proof mark and the rear face is stamped with a "K". The bottom of the frame is stamped with the full serial number, "56447". The trigger guard is numbered "34752", and the back strap is numbered "17309". The under side of the barrel has the partial serial number "6463" stamped beneath the ejector housing, and the cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "0017". The loading gate is marked with the assembly number "773". The grip is dated "1902" over the script initials of Ordnance Inspector Lieutenant Odus C. Horney ("OCH") in a rectangle. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the script initials "RAC" in a rectangle. "R.A.C." is also stamped in block letters on the left grip heel.

Fine as factory refurbished. The revolver retains 30% of the bright high polished blue finish, mostly on the protected areas of the barrel, back strap and trigger guard. 30% of the vivid casehardened finish remains on the frame, trigger guard and hammer. The revolver has scattered pitting overall (possibly from exposure to sea water), and most of the contact surfaces have a bright metal silver-gray patina. All of the markings on the barrel, frame and cylinder are legible. The grip has light-to-moderate handling wear but is in fine condition with clearly legible inspection markings. The action is crisp and functions well. This is a solid representative example of a Colt Artillery Model Single Action Revolver.