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Very Fine David F. Clark Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with Scarce G

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Revolvers Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
Very Fine David F. Clark Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with Scarce G
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Very Fine David F. Clark Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with Scarce Georgia Militia Marking

This very fine example of an original U.S. Colt Model 1873 Single Army Action Cavalry revolver was manufactured in 1887. This revolver was sub-inspected by Ordnance inspector David F. Clark and has the "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark on major components. The right side of the grip is prominently stamped with a "GA" Georgia militia mark. The revolver has the Colt military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer are casehardened. The screws and trigger are niter blue. The one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. The ejector rod has the oval head introduced around serial number 113,000. The hammer has the deep cut elongated knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is marked with the elongated block address "COLT'S P.T. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD Ct. U.S.A.-". The left side of the frame is marked with the three line, three patent dates followed by the "U.S." property mark. The underside of the barrel is stamped with a small "P" proofmark followed by the "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark. The "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark is also stamped on the bottom of the frame, on the left heel of the grip and on the cylinder. A "P" proof mark is also stamped on the cylinder. The full serial number, "120378" is stamped on the bottom of the frame below the "D.F.C." mark and on the trigger guard and the back strap. The partial serial number "0378" is stamped on the side of the cylinder. The loading gate is marked with the assembly number "394". A Colt "G" inspection mark is visible in the frame hammer well above the firing pin hole. The left side of the grip is stamped with the script "JGB" final acceptance mark of Ordnance final inspector Captain John G. Butler above the date "1887". Captain Butler's final inspection mark is the only one in the entire U.S. cavalry single action Army production series with unbordered initials. David F. Clark's sub-inspection mark consisting of the script initials "DFC" in a rectangle with rounded corners is stamped below the "GA" militia mark on the right side of the grip. Six distinct notches are carved in the left butt behind the "D.F.C." sub-inspection mark.

Manufucture: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 45 LC
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 120378

Very fine. The revolver is completely original and retains 70% blue finish. The barrel and ejector housing have nearly all of the military blue finish with some minor high point wear. The feathered polishing marks are clearly visible on either side of the front sight blade and above the ejector housing stud. The trigger guard has most of the blue finish. The back strap shows typical handling wear and has mostly faded to a dull gray patina. The cylinder has a plum brown patina with significant amounts of blue finish in the flutes. The frame, loading gate and hammer have 60% plus of the original casehardened finish with some silvering on contact points and strong case colors in protected areas. The trigger and frame screws show the original niter blue finish in protected areas. All of the factory markings, serial numbers, proof and inspection marks are crisp. The grip is in very good condition with light to moderate handling wear. The "JGB", "DFC" inspection marks and the "1887" date show handling wear but remain legible. The "GA" property mark is sharp. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is a very fine original example of a "D.F.C." sub-inspected Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver.