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Rare HENRY NETTLETON “W” Inspected, LETTERED .45 Colt US CAVALRY SAA 1878 1 of 200 Delivered to the US INSPECTOR 1878!
Guns International #: 101451004 Seller's Inventory #: 20603
Category: Colt Revolvers - Single Action Army - 1st Gen - Antique Revolvers - Cartridge
Seller's Information
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Seller: AncestryGunsLLC
Company: Ancestry Guns LLC
Member Since: 11/3/16
State: Missouri
Zip: 65203
Country: United States
Phone: (314) 707-7373
International Phone: 314-707-7373
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1062
Total Number of Listings: 42414
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Credit Card, Certified Check, Money Order
Description:
Rare HENRY NETTLETON “W” Inspected, LETTERED .45 Colt US CAVALRY SAA 1878
1 of 200 Delivered to the US INSPECTOR 1878!
Here we present a lettered antique Colt Black Powder Frame Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver in .45, Inspected by Henry Nettleton, manufactured in 1878 in Hartford, Connecticut. This revolver comes with the Colt factory archive letter that states it was sent, along with 199 others, to the US Government inspector at the Colt Plant on August 14, 1878. This SAA is a rarity in itself, having remained intact throughout decades of use and having been spared armory refurbishment by which many had their 7-1/2 inch barrels cut short to 5-1/2 inches and their worn out parts swapped with others. However, this one also falls into a narrow range of serial numbers that were inspected under Henry Nettleton (36798-39879 & 47056-51083), and using his particularly stringent regimen for marking inspected parts (this included the only inspector initialed hammers in the entire US contract production). Not only that, but this revolver displays the inspection initial “W” throughout, which Kopec and his associates have identified to inspector E.C. Wheeler. In their book, A Study of the Colt Single Action Revolver, they quote a letter from Captain John E. Greer to E.C. Wheeler assigning Wheeler to “report at Colt’s factory for duty during the illness of Henry Nettleton, U.S. Sub-Inspector.” Kopec, Graham, and Moore surmise that this lasted about 2 weeks and state that only about 47 revolvers are known with Wheeler’s “W” mark, making this a very rare specimen, indeed.
Henry Nettleton’s initials “H.N.” can be observed on the barrel, the hammer, and the underside of the grip on the right side. The single initial “W” for E.C. Wheeler can be read on the cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and the top of the grip frame. “P” proof marks are located on the barrel and cylinder. “US” is engraved on the left frame while “1878” has been stamped onto the left grip. There is a hint of nickel finish near the muzzle on the right side as well as around the trigger guard. The letter lists the finish as “blue”, however, there is a group of these government revolvers in this serial range that are known to have been finished in nickel from the factory. This revolver also displays the nuances of the “broken T” and the double underlined “o” in “Co” in the barrel address. This Cavalry is certainly a study in both Colt company and US Ordnance markings!
The overall condition is good. The action is strong and crisp with all 4 clicks. The bore is in good shape, gray with strong rifling. The outer finish has matured to a gray patina with hints of old nickel finish near the front sight and around the trigger guard. This is a rare opportunity to own not only an intact “Cavalry” model Colt SAA, but one inspected by Henry Nettleton and E.C. Wheeler!
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 7-1/2 inches.
Caliber: .45 Colt
Overall condition as seen in photos.
Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.
ancestryguns
$7895
#20603
SOLD
Antique: Yes