3292 DESIRABLE NETTLETON INSPECTED U.S. COLT SINGLE

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Nov 01 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 3,000.00 USD
Estimated at 6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
ACTION ARMY CAVALRY MODEL REVOLVER WITH FACTORY LETTER. Cal. 45 Colt. S# 48230. Bbl. 7 1/2". Single Action Army Cavalry Model revolver mfg. by Colt in 1878. Top of the bbl. is marked with Colt's single line address. Left side of the frame is marked with Colt's 3-line patent information, followed by "U S". Frame, cyl., bbl., trigger guard, and right side of the butt on the grip are marked "N.H." indicating inspection by Henry Nettleton. Left side of the hammer is stamped "W", indicating inspection by E.C. Wheeler. Frame, hammer, and loading gate's original finish was case colored, with the bbl., ejector rod housing, cyl., trigger guard, and rear grip strap exhibiting a blue finish. Metal components appear to have been covered in a layer of laquer, which has mostly flaked off. Frame is mounted with a 1-piece plain walnut grip marked with a faint "1878: above an oval "JEG" (John E. Greer) cartouche, with a faint mostly illegible oval "HN" cartouche marked on the right. Standard SAA pattern blade front sight, with frame notched rear sight. Bullseye ejector rod head. All serialized parts are matching and include the frame, cyl., bbl., trigger guard, and rear grip strap. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Colt factory letter indicating that this example was sold to the United States Government (Delivered to U.S. Government Inspector located at the Colt Plant) on July 12, 1878 in a shipment of 100 same type guns. CONDITION: frame exhibits a mottled gray patina, exhibiting areas of light pitting, age related discoloration, and some small light striations from prior cleaning with scant traces of case coloring remaining in a couple of protected areas. Hammer and loading gate retain virtually no remaining case coloring and show a matching patina to the frame. Bbl. and ejector rod housing retain fair to good amounts of blue finish, showing flaking and wear that show through to brown patina, with some scattered spots/areas of light to mild pitting. Trigger guard and rear grip strap show large areas of wear that show through to gray patina. Cyl. shows a mostly grain patina, with scattered spots/areas of light to mild pitting. Action functions appropriately when cycled by hand. Bore is relatively bright, exhibiting scattered spots of light pitting, while retaining strong rifling throughout. Grip has been sanded and refinished at one time, showing scattered marks and impressions from handling and storage. A desirable, all matching example of a Henry Nettleton inspected Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Model revolver. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Norm Greenberg Collection. (01-27624/MLW). ANTIQUE. $6,000-9,000.