GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
RARE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY "OFFICER'S MODEL" CAVALRY REVOLVER NICKEL PLATED HENRY NETTLETON INSPECTED WITH OFFICER'S BELT AND HOLSTER RIG. (The Estate of G. W. "Bill" Stewart of Sonora, Texas)COLTSAA CAVALRY5021545 COLTCal .45 Colt, 7-1/2" bbl, full-nickel finish with case colored hammer, blue screws and trigger. 1-pc plain walnut grip. SN's match on frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder, and grip. SN on bbl is 0115 which is a possible mistake when originally stamped. Bbl address is of the correct bold type with a dbl line under the "O" of "Co". Bbl has "C" over "G" inspector initials near ejector rod stud. Bottom of bbl is stamped "P" and "H.N." at the breech end. Ejector rod has donut head. Frame has correct 3-line Patent mark on forward left side with "U.S." to the right of it. Frame is stamped "H.N." over the SN. Loading gate and bottom of frame under trigger guard is stamped with assembly number "2030". Trigger guard is stamped "H.N." under SN. Backstrap is stamped "H.N." behind hammer on apron. Cylinder is stamped "H.N." and "P" along with the last 4-digits of SN on rear periphery of cylinder. Rear face of cylinder has "O" and "S" inspector marks between chambers. Hammer is case colored with coarse knurling. Hammer is stamped "H.N." on left side. Grips have "1878" over a "JEG" cartouche in an oval. This is the cartouche of John E. Greer ordnance inspector. Right butt of grip is stamped "H.N.". Belt and holster rig has a correct Cavalry Model 1881 holster with U.S. embossed on the front of flap and a lanyard ring in the toe plug. Holster has 2-hole flap. Holster is of commercial manufacturer with a "Burgess & Co. Meriden CT" maker cartouche on the back of the loop. Holster loop also has a partially legible marking at the top of loop, that appears to be some sort of Cavalry mark. Commercial Patent leather belt has saber straps on left side and is mounted with an officer's buckle. Belt has a makers cartouche on the tongue, which reads "Babcock & Co. formerly - Ker & McKenney, 1 Grand Street, New York. This revolver is listed by SN in "Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers ... a continuing study" by Kopec and Fenn on page 161. Also accompanying this revolver is a Colt factory letter showing shipment of this revolver to the US Government on August 24, 1878 in a shipment of 200 guns. PROVENANCE: The Estate of G. W. "Bill" Stewart of Sonora, Texas. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl retains 20% orig nickel in protected areas with the balance turning a steel gray patina, there is light pitting overall with some roughness at the muzzle. Front sight is full-sized. Bore is frosty with strong rifling. Ejector rod housing retains 50% nickel finish with wear on outer edge and some pitting towards muzzle. Ejector rod head retains 20% nickel with some pitting on outer edge. Frame retains 50-60% nickel finish with sharp markings, some light pitting on top strap. Trigger guard retains 20% nickel, mainly in front of trigger guard, balance is a silver gray patina with some light pitting overall. Backstrap also retains about 20% nickel finish, mainly on the apron and butt, with the balance a silver gray patina with light pitting. All marks are sharp. Hammer retains considerable traces of case colored finish, especially on the right side. Inspector mark is sharp. Screws show a considerable amount of blue finish, as does the trigger. Cylinder retains 50-60% nickel finish with spots of erosion, especially on 1 chamber. All markings are sharp. Chambers are very good. Grip has dull oil finish, very slight shrinkage, and readable cartouche on left side. Inspector mark on butt is crisp. Holster and belt are very good to fine. Holster is un-crazed and has verdigris stains on brass parts. Maker cartouche is faint, but readable. Belt is a crazed black patent leather finish overall with some edge wear and a readable cartouche. Buckle is fine and shows no trace of ever have been silver plated. A rare opportunity to obtain a scarce Colt U.S. SAA Nettleton inspected nickel plated Cavalry Revolver with an original Officer's rig. 49973-491 TEP (12,000-20,000)