Colt Single Action Army Artillery Model
Indian Wars
.45 Colt. 5.5" barrel. SN: 47592 (mfg. ca.1878). Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth walnut one-piece grip. Single action cartridge revolver with black powder frame, six-chambered fluted cylinder, blade front sight and frame notch rear sight. Barrel marked in a single line: COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. Address with the broken (missing) serif from the left side of the crossbar of the "T" in the abbreviation "Patent" and double line under the "o" in "Co", both correct for Nettleton range guns. Lower left of frame with three-date in three-line patent marking. Left rear web of triggerguard is marked "45". Matching serial numbers throughout with the exception of the grip which is an ill-fitting replacement. Left of frame stamped US with an apparently more recent stamp that does not appear correct, nor does it have periods after the letters. The apparent HN inspection of Henry Nettleton appears on the backstrap, frame, triggerguard, barrel, cylinder and left side of hammer neck, with the barrel and cylinder both with P proofs. These marks look correct with the frame HN appearing to be stamped under the serial number. Matching number artillery revolvers are scarce, as most are mixed number guns. The apparently spurious "US" on the frame is troubling, but the balance of the revolver appears to be correct.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Good. Bore about good, heavily oxidized with some pitting and strong black powder rifling. Metal with no finish and showing a moderately oxidized brown patina with scattered pitting. Mechanically functional action with an apparently worn hammer as the "4 clicks" are not particularly distinct and the hammer does not stay in the safety position. The revolver appears to time and index correctly. Grip replaced, ill-fitting and showing moderate wear, an old sanding and some marks, mars and minor edge chips.