This is a standard U.S. issue cavalry Colt S.A.A. Factory letter indicates that this was a part of a 400 gun shipment sent December 1, 1890 to the U.S. Gov't inspector. This was one of the last two shipments of this model to the USM sent on 11/12/1889 and 9/19/1890. There were 2,000 guns in each shipment. It is considered the R.A.C. Renaldo Carr series of sub inspected revolvers. Features blued barrel, trigger guard, cylinder and backstrap with case colored frame and hammer and one piece walnut grips. This revolver has all matching numbers including frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The cylinder and barrel are stamped with matching last four digits. The R.A.C. stamp will be found under the barrel, on the frame, cylinder and stamped into inside of right grip panel. Left side of the frame has standard US stamp. Left grip panel is stamped with date 1890 and the inspectors stamp "S.E.B." Ordnance inspector Stanhope E. Blunt, who inspected the final 4,000 Colt Single Action Army revolvers purchased by the U.S. Government and were the only small arms that Captain Blunt inspected in 1890 and 1892 only. The "K" inspector sub stamp can be found on trigger guard, back strap, on the end of the ejector rod housing. Letter "P" is stamped under the barrel. You can find a sample of the barrel stamp on page 84 in the book on Colt Cavalry and Artillery Models.The front sight is unaltered and has the proper type hammer and ejector rod head. The bottom of the left grip is stamped R.A.C. This revolver remains in nearly unused condition. Barrel retains approximately 90% of the original high polish blue finish. Thinning on bottom and sides an inch and a half from muzzle. The trigger guard and back strap retain approximately 80% of original blue with normal high edge wear and some thinning. The cylinder has all of the high polish blue in the flutes. The balance is turning a blue-grey patina. Addition to the inspectors stamps, the stamp "P" can also be found on the outside of the cylinder as well. The ejector rod housing has all of the high polish blue finish in the recesses, the base approximately 70% mixing with silver. Hammer and frame retain approximately 90% of the original case colors, most still brilliant. Frame screws retain 85% of the factory high polish Nitre blue finish. All seams are flawless as to fit. Strong, rifled near mint bore. Cylinder shows nearly no signs of burn. All legends are sharp as new. Walnut grips are near mint. All stamps are sharp. Action perfect. Its quite obvious that this gun shows no real use, was probably retained by a state militia. Even the frame and ejector rod screw heads retain a majority of the their Nitre blue finish. One would be hard pressed to find a finer condition U.S. Cavalry issued Single Action Colt dating to the last decade of the 19th century. When disassembling this revolver for inspection you will find that even the cylinder pin retains virtually all of its factory blue finish as well. Indexes and locks up like new. Extremely impressive Cavalry Colt with scarce dated grip panel and factory letter. Serial Number-136436; Manufacturer-Colt; Model-1873; Caliber-.45 long colt; Barrel Length-7 - 1/2"; FFL Status-Antique;