This Colt Cloverleaf House Model Revolver was manufactured with an extremely rare short 1 1/2 inch octagonal barrel in 1871. The revolver has a blued barrel and four-shot cylinder, silver-plated brass frame, niter blue hammer and trigger. The two-piece, walnut, bird's head grips have a varnished finish. The barrel has a nickel-silver, half-moon, front sight blade; the top of the frame has the same, 'pinch frame' rear sight notch found on the Single Action Army Revolver. The revolver has the early, 1 1/2-inch, octagon barrel and hammer with the early high profile spur. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped "COLT". The serial number is stamped on the bottom of the bird's head butt. British proof and inspection marks are stamped on the upper left barrel flat, between each cylinder chamber and on the lower right side of the frame. The Colt Cloverleaf Revolver is a key piece for any advanced Colt collection because it was the first Colt solid frame revolver chambered for metallic cartridge ammunition. The included Colt factory letter confirms the serial number, caliber, barrel length and blue finish. The letter states that the revolver was sold to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham of New York City and was shipped on March 22, 1873. The shipment included ten guns.

Very fine. The revolver retains 70% of the original blue and 40% silver-plated finish. 97% of the original high polish blue remains on the barrel; the cloverleaf cylinder has 60% of the original high polish blue finish. The frame has 40% of the delicate silver-plated finish; the balance of the brass frame has a mellow, un-polished patina. The trigger and hammer retain 70% of the fiery, niter blue finish. The grips are excellent with most of the original, high-gloss varnish finish and some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This is a very fine example of a scarce short barrel, first year production Colt Cloverleaf House Model Revolver.