This revolver was manufactured in 1880. This desirable DA revolver is accompanied by a very interesting leather double cartridge/money belt with an integral holster. The leather money/cartridge belt and holster, along with this short barreled revolver, would have been highly valued by someone in the West looking for discreet firepower, such as a gambler or a banker. It is very well made and is unusual in that it has an integral holster right on the belt made for this short barreled revolver. It has three pouches sewn on the outside of the belt; two appear to be coin pouches, and the larger one in the middle would have been for important papers or paper money. Additionally, the back side of the belt has the secret paper money pouch that folds flat against the back of the belt with three separate compartments. The front of the belt has two rows of five cartridge loops. Although the belt is unmarked, it is very well made and was probably a one-of-a-kind, obviously for someone with significant wealth to carry and conceal. The right side of the short barrel is only marked with "COLT," and the left side is marked with the rare etched barrel panel markings of "COLT D.A.38". The left rear side of the left trigger guard bow is marked "38 CAL". The left side of the frame has the standard Colt three-line patent dates. The revolver was originally manufactured with the high polish, blued finish with the color casehardened frame, and it was fitted with a one-piece checkered walnut grips. It is correctly marked with the matching serial number on the frame, trigger guard and back strap, and no visible serial number is on the cylinder. The loading gate is marked with the assembly number "123".

Very good. Partially refinished, cold blue touch up on barrel, frame and rear grip strap. 20% of the original blue finish remains on the balance with the cylinder having turned a brown patina and more blue finish in the protected areas. The grips are very good with checkering showing moderate even wear. The fascinating money/cartridge belt is very fine with nice stitching overall, some minor wrinkling of the face of the leather, and some fraying around the edges of the belt and pouches. One of the straps for the larger pouch has separated slightly. A very interesting and scarce rig with a lot of frontier character and appeal. This short barreled revolver would have provided fast firepower across or under the table in a western saloon!