This is an attractive, original example of a U.S. Contract Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver that was manufactured in 1890 and recently evaluated by Colt expert and author John Kopec. In his included gold seal letter of authentication, Kopec stated the revolver was listed his records (August 2012) and falls between two other Cavalry Models, nos. 133896 and 133908, in his database. Kopec concluded the revolver, which remains in original Cavalry Model configuration, may have been “issued to almost any militia organization up and into the turn of the last century.” In the letter Kopec highlighted the “near perfect condition” grip, the correct barrel address, and the strong bluing on the barrel. The revolver was inspected by Captain Stanhope E. Blunt (SEB) and Sub-Inspected by Rinaldo A. Carr (RAC). The 4,000 Single Action Cavalry revolvers manufactured by Colt for the government contracts signed November 12, 1889 and September 19, 1890, were the last Single Action revolvers purchased by the U.S. Army. The revolver has the standard military blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, hammer and loading gate have a color casehardened finish. The screws are niter blue and the one-piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The revolver has the second style oval ejector rod head introduced at about serial number 113,000. The cavalry type hammer has bordered elongated knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the elongated block address "COLT'S P.T. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” The sub-inspection mark "R.A.C" and a "P" proof mark are stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the cylinder pin. The "R.A.C." sub-inspection mark is stamped on the bottom of the frame ahead of the serial number, on the side of the cylinder and on the right heel of grip. The left side of the frame is stamped with the Colt three-line patent date marking and the "U.S." property mark. A "P" proof mark is stamped on the side of the cylinder. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "1674". "K" Colt sub-inspection marks are stamped on the trigger guard, back strap and the front of the ejector housing. An "O" is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The full serial number is stamped on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "3900" is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The left side of the grip is stamped with the inspection date "1890" above the script initials "SEB" enclosed in rectangle with rounded ends. The script initials "RAC" surrounded by a rectangle with rounded ends are stamped on the lower right side of the grip. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Very fine. The revolver retains 70% plus of the original blue and 60% plus casehardened finish. "Feathered" polishing marks are visible on either side of the front sight blade and above the ejector housing stud. The blue finish on the back strap and grip strap shows handling wear hand has aged to a brown patina. The cylinder has a brown patina with a significant amount of blue finish in the cylinder flutes and other protected areas. The frame and hammer retain most of the of the subdued casehardened finish. Half of the niter blue finish is present on the frame and grip screws. All of the markings and serial numbers are clear. The grip is also very fine with a minor repair on the right side (see photo). The date and ordnance inspection marks are extremely crisp. The grip has only limited wear with a few scattered and very minor handling marks. This is an outstanding example of an original late production, "RAC" sub-inspected U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry Model Revolver.