May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
Blue & color case hardened with uncut 7 - 1/2" barrel, full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Bottom of barrel has last 4 digits of serial number under ejector rod housing. Ejector rod housing is a second type with bullseye ejector rod head. Left side of frame has 3-line patent dates and a small “US” without periods. Mounted with original one piece walnut grip with last four digits of serial number in back strap channel, "1878" over the crisp oval cartouche “JEG” for Military Inspector Capt. John E. Greer on left side, and crisp oval cartouche "HN" for Henry Nettleton on right. This revolver is part of the later contracts of 1878, probably from the one that was signed August 27th, 1878. The "HN" sub-inspector initials of Henry Nettleton are observed on the frame & trigger guard adjacent to serial numbers on bottom of barrel, top of back strap, outer diameter of cylinder, and bottom right edge of grip. Left side of the hammer also has Nettleton’s initials. It is interesting to note that this revolver is only two SNs away from an identified “Keyes” revolver. Capt. A.S.B. Keyes was a captain in Troop D of the 10th Cavalry stationed at Fort Davis, Texas, apparently in charge of the Armory when 47 revolvers were discovered missing. Attempting to cover up his laxity in control, Capt. Keyes privately purchased 47 replacement revolvers and installed them in the Armory prior to an audit. His efforts failed as the subterfuge was discovered and he was issued a written reprimand condemning him for his actions. Nettleton inspected Colts were produced in 1878 and, as such, were available and issued to troops on the frontier engaged in the Indian Wars for many years thereafter, and few survive today in original configuration and original finish. A majority of the Nettleton contracts were returned in 1893 and in later recalls and altered to artillery configuration. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching, including barrel, cylinder, and grip. Barrel and ejector rod housing retains approximately 95+% strong original factory blue with very strong feathers on each side of the front sight and ejector rod housing stud and bright blue on ejector rod housing screw. Frame retains the vast majority of the brilliant factory case colors, slightly faded on the recoil shield & loading gate. Hammer retains heavily faded case colors. Trigger guard and back strap retain most of their original factory blue with candy striping on most of those surfaces with fine feathers on the flats of trigger plate on each side of the front web of the trigger guard. Cylinder retains approximately 95+% strong original blue, slightly thinned on outer diameter, glossy & bright in the flutes. Grip has a chipped right toe, otherwise is completely sound, showing light wear with a few nicks & dings on left side with crisp date & cartouches and retains most of its original oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, may have been fired, but if so, very little.