April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
Full or partial matching serial numbers can be found on frame, trigger guard, backstrap, bottom of barrel, and cylinder. "HN" inspector stamp for Henry Nettleton can be found on the bottom of barrel, frame, trigger guard, backstrap, and cylinder. Left side of frame has the three line patent address along with a U.S. stamp. Left trigger bow has a "VP" triangle indicating the revolver was returned for repair at one time. Both sides of the original one piece oil finished walnut grips have inspector marks. Left side is dated 1878. Right side of the grip is stamped "HN" for Henry Nettleton. CONDITION: Following are some notes on this revolver taken from the John Kopec accompanying letter. John dates this manufacture to July 17th, 1878. "This revolver displays most of its original blue and case colored finish. The barrel shows most of its military blue finish with prominent feathering markings adjacent to front sight. The case colors of the frame remain brilliant in all areas except for the top-strap which shows some holster drag. The cylinder displays much of its original blue finish, which remains stronger in the flutes. The grips of this example remain in near perfect condition showing the ordnance inspector's cartouches in immaculate condition. The ejector tube has lost only a small amount of blue finish at the very tip." John believes these were released as surplus from unissued inventories. He advances the belief that at least two unopened of one hundred revolvers of these brand new Henry Nettleton revolvers were discovered in Ordnance stores circa May 1922, which accounts for many of these beautiful condition Henry Nettleton revolvers remaining today. He also states that the Colt was refitted for the hammer and trigger at the factory late pre-war or early post-war years, hence the "VP" proof. He goes on to state that the hammer was not removed because of a frozen front guard screw. He also makes note to the light screwdriver scarring adjacent to front trigger guard screw and some minor marring of the left front frame screw head. There are minor surface scars, high edge wear at muzzle, ejector, and cylinder. Cylinder has dragline. One could fairly easily restore the original style hammer and trigger to this gun, if they so possessed. The action indexes and locks up like a bank vault. The bore is near mint. Also features the early screw in black powder frame and donut ejector rod head. Even the trigger guard and backstrap retain the majority of their factory applied blue finish with some freckling on backstrap. This is one of the finest Nettleton era Colts one could hope to find and will be a bell-ringer in any collection.