MARTIALLY MARKED CAVALRY MODEL SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 45 Colt. SN...

MARTIALLY MARKED CAVALRY MODEL SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 45 Colt. SN 55384. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" bbl with block letter 1-line address. Frame has 3-line patent dates with a "U.S." on left side. It has 1-pc walnut grip with "1880" dated "DFC" (David F. Clark) cartouche on left side & "CCM" (Charles C. Morrison) cartouche on right. Bottom of bbl, front end of frame, cylinder & bottom right of grip also has tiny "DFC" stamp plus other small inspector initials. Cartouches on sides of this grip are somewhat unusual. Ordinarily the "DFC" sub-inspector cartouche is found on right side & "CCM" cartouche is found on left. It appears that both of these cartouches are over stamps by someone either not familiar with or who confused the correct locations of cartouches. References to both cartouches can be found on pp. 72 & 74 in Carvalry & Artillery Revolvers….A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn. Please note: Accompany this lot will be a Colt factory letter stating that this gun was sold to the US Government and delivered to the US government inspector in a shipment on April 21, 1880 of 150 guns. CONDITION: Grip as noted, otherwise fine plus. Bbl retains 30-40% orig blue, mostly under ejector rod housing & in sheltered areas with balance a mottled silver/brown patina with a few spots of rust. Frame retains 20-25% orig case colors in very sheltered areas with balance a silver/brown patina. Hammer retains most of its orig case hardening, bright colors on sides, dark on top. Grip has a couple of small gouges on left side with moderately worn edges & light hammer marks on bottom & retains traces of orig varnish with a fine hand rubbed patina. Cylinder retains strong blue in flutes with outer diameter a plum/blue patina. Hammer no longer has half-cock, otherwise mechanics are fine with brilliant shiny bore. This revolver does not appear to have had a lot of use, simply a lot of handling & poor storage. 4-57514 (15,000-30,000)