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Henry Nettleton Sub-Inspected Colt Single Action Cavalry Revolver with Attachable Stock and Kopec Le

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 11,000.00 USD
Henry Nettleton Sub-Inspected Colt Single Action Cavalry Revolver with Attachable Stock and Kopec Le
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Henry Nettleton Sub-Inspected Colt Single Action Cavalry Revolver with Attachable Stock and Kopec Letter

Colt Single Action Cavalry Revolver with Colt factory letter and letter of authentication by John A. Kopec. The Colt letter states that this revolver was one of 200 shipped from Colt's to the Springfield Armory on August 23, 1878. The revolver has a military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, hammer and loading gate are casehardened. The one piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The ejector rod has the correct bull's-eye head and the hammer spur has elongated bordered knurling. The original hammer screws have been replaced with an extended hammer screw for the attachable stock. An additional small stud has been added to the left side of the frame and a shallow groove has been milled in the bottom of the back strap. The Kopec letter states that these modifications were probably made in the 1950s to accommodate a percussion shoulder stock and the attachable skeleton stock that accompanies the revolver. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the bold block letter legend used on U.S. contract single action revolvers in the 47,000-50,500 serial number range. The left side of the frame is stamped with the Colt three line, three patent dates followed by the "US" property mark. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "1508". The distinctive Henry Nettleton "H.N." sub-inspection mark is stamped on, the underside of the barrel, bottom of the frame, trigger guard, top of the back strap, side of the cylinder, left side of the hammer and right heel of the grip. "P" proofmarks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and the side of the cylinder. The full serial number "50054" is located on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "0054" is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. The left side of the grip is stamped with the date "1878" above the circled script initials of Ordnance Inspector Capt. John E. Greer (JEG). The script initials "HN" with an oval border are stamped on the lower right side of the grip. The Kopec letter states that the partial serial number "0054" is written in the grip back strap channel and that the grip is "totally correct for this revolver". The attachable skeleton stock is unplated brass and has no visible markings.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 50054

Very good plus as modified for a shoulder stock. Traces of the original blue and casehardened finish are present on the revolver. The barrel and ejector housing have a smooth gray patina, the Kopec letter states that the finish has been removed from these components. The military blue finish is present underneath the ejector housing. Significant amounts of military blue finish remain on the cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. Traces of case colors are present on the trigger guard and back strap. All of the Colt markings, serial numbers and Ordnance sub-inspection marks on the revolver are crisp. The grip is in fair condition with a strong date and inspection marks. The action is tight and functions perfectly. The brass attachable stock is very good with a very attractive untouched patina. This is a solid example of a desirable Henry Nettleton sub-inspected Colt Single Action Cavalry revolver with a later production 20th century attachable stock.