3393

David F. Clark Sub-Inspected Colt Single Action Cavalry Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 11,000.00 USD
David F. Clark Sub-Inspected Colt Single Action Cavalry Revolver
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Estimate: $8000 - 11000
Colt Single Action Cavalry Model Revolver manufactured in 1884 and inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark (DFC) and Captain Frank Heath (FH). The revolver has a military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer have a color casehardened finish. The one-piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The revolver has the "bullseye" ejector rod head used until approximately serial number 113,000. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the "Elongated Block Letter" address "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". Small "D.F.C." sub-inspection stamps are located on the underside of the barrel, the bottom of the frame, the side of the cylinder and on the right heel of the grip. A "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the sub-inspection mark and on the side of the cylinder. The left side of the frame is stamped with the Colt three-dates/three-line patent marking followed by the "U.S." property mark. The assembly number "440" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. Colt "O", "G" and "J" inspection marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel behind the ejector housing stud. Colt "O" and "S" inspection marks are stamped on the rear face of the cylinder between the chambers. A Colt "G" inspection marks is stamped on the trigger guard and the back strap below the serial numbers. "S" is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The full serial number, "113853" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number "3853" is stamped on the underside of the barrel and the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the date "1884" above the Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of the script initials "FH" enclosed in an oval. The lower right side of the grip is stamped with the Ordnance sub-inspection mark consisting of the script initials "D.F.C." in a rectangle. "21" is stamped in large numerals on the left grip heel and "23" is stamped on the right grip heel; "70" is stamped on the lower right side of the grip over the "DFC" sub-inspection mark. The three numbers are rack numbers applied by a state militia or National Guard. Regular Army units were prohibited by regulation from stamping rack numbers on small arms.
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 Long Colt
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 113853
Condition: Very fine as partially refinished. The revolver retains 70% of the original blue and casehardened finish. The cylinder is an Arsenal re-blue; all of the other components retain the original finish. Most of the blue finish is present on the barrel and ejector housing. All of the markings are crisp. The cylinder markings are sharp. The trigger guard and back strap exhibit handling wear on the bottom of the trigger guard bow, grip strap and back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer retains at least 85% of the color casehardened finish with strong case colors in protected areas. The frame markings are crisp. The grip is in very fine condition with clear date and final inspection marks on the lower left side. The action is tight and functions perfectly. This is a very fine representative example of an 1884 Production, U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry Model Revolver.