This highly desirable U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver was manufactured in 1878. This revolver is one of 3,000 Colt Single Action revolvers inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Henry Nettleton and Ordnance Inspector Captain John E. Greer. Colt Single Action revolvers that bear the "HN" sub-inspection mark of Henry Nettleton are some of the most collectible of all U.S. contract Single Action revolvers. This high condition example is well deserving of the finest private or public collection. Renowned Colt historian and author John Kopec recently had the pleasure to examine this fabulous Cavalry Model and he recorded his observations in the accompanying gold seal letter of authentication. Simply put no. 48403 is in stunning condition. As Kopec explained, "Due to the unfired and excellent condition of our subject revolver, it is the opinion of this writer that it had remained unissued at the Springfield Armory in brand new condition until it had been privately sold during the 1920s." He touted the "deeply stamped and perfect" inspector cartouches on the grip, "vivid case-colors of the frame remain near perfect,", screws "remain in near perfect condition," and "as-new condition" grips. In the gold seal letter of authentication (not included) for Cavalry Model no. 48953 Kopec provided additional information related to the condition of this revolver and other Nettleton inspected single actions in general: “Because of there being a quantity of existing Henry Nettleton sub-inspected revolvers remaining in excellent or near-new condition in collections today, it is our opinion that these revolvers had remained in unissued or brand-new condition at the Springfield Armory until they were released as surplus upon the open market. We believe that at least two (possibly more) packing crates (each crate held 50 revolvers) of these revolvers were discovered at the Armory during the 1920s.” The revolver was a new listing in Kopec's survey and falls between nos. 48397 (a relic Cavalry Model) and 48404 (an Artillery Model). The nearest reference examples found in the National Archives records was nos. 48523 and 48528, which were both issued to Co. F. 6th Cavalry as of early August 1888. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." The underside of the barrel is stamped with a "P" proof mark and the "H.N." sub-inspection mark. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt "three-date/three-line" patent markings. The patent markings are followed by the "US" property mark; the property mark on this revolver is typical of Nettleton-inspected Single Action Army revolvers and does not have periods after the "U" and "S" and has the upset marks that indicate the property mark was stamped on a casehardened frame. Additional "HN" sub-inspector marks appear on the frame, trigger guard, cylinder, back strap, and bottom of grip. Another "P" proof mark is stamped on the cylinder. Matching full or partial serial numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder. The ejector rod housing was not removed in order to check barrel number out of respect for the revolver's condition, but without a doubt the barrel is original. The left side of the grip is stamped with the date "1878" above the final inspection mark which consists of the script initials "JEG" (John E. Greer) with an oval border. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the script sub-inspector initials "HN" in an oval. Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection

Excellent plus as issued, retaining 97% plus original blue finish with minor edge wear. 98% vivid original case colors remain on the frame and hammer with some fading on the loading gate and recoil shield. The grip is also excellent with a few minor handing marks and crisp date and cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This outstanding Henry Nettleton inspected Colt Cavalry Model revolver will make a grand statement to any U.S. military collection no matter how advanced.