USFA Government Inspector Series Nettleton 1873 Single Action Army Revolver
Sold for $3525.00
LSB#: 220730SB007
Make: U.S. Firearms (USFA)
Model: 1873 Cavalry Single Action Army, Nettleton Government Inspector Series
Serial Number: 47224
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 2008
Caliber: .45 Colt
Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “+U.S. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+”, the bottom is marked “HN.”, “P” and “45 CAL”, under the ejector housing is “N”, “c” and “7224”. The inside surface of the ejector housing is hand-scribed “224”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871 / ” JULY.2-72. / “ JAN.19-75.” and “US”. The bottom of the frame in front of the trigger guard and the bottom of the trigger guard are marked with the serial number “47224”, the butt is marked “47 / 224”. The bottom of the frame and trigger guard are each marked “HN.” at the serial markings, the top of the backstrap is marked “HN.” behind the hammer. The rear face of the frame on the left (under the grip) and the rear of the loding gate each have assembly number “1372”. The outside of the cylinder is marked “7224”, “P” and “HN.”. The backstrap inlet of the grip has “HN47224” hand-written, the left of the grip is stamped “1878” and with a boxed “JEG” cartouche, the right has a boxed “HN” cartouche, the bottom-right is stamped “HN.”.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. There are a few scattered minor scratches and light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Armory Blue & Turnbull Case Color Hardened
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered minor marks, most notable are a couple of tiny scratches on the bottom of the barrel in front of the ejector housing. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Cylinder lockup produces almost no play on each chamber. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder has a removable bushing. The firing pin is conical and there is no window in the loading gate at the hinge, indicative of US-made parts. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes in a two-piece cardboard USFA box with serial-matching label, black exterior, green interior, a green fabric USFA sleeve, cleaning rod, and an assortment of paperwork including manual. The box was originally a hinge-lid, the hinge portion has come frree from the tray, it is now a two-piece box.
Our Assessment: Colt’s Single Action Army is, perhaps more than any other, an iconic American pistol. It was the U.S. issue sidearm for the last two decades of the 19th century, used by pioneers, outlaws and lawmen across the expanding nation, and captivated audiences on the silver screen and television (and still does, today). In the modern day, the closest you can get to an original is a USFA made SAA. U.S. Fire Arms set up “under the blue dome” in the old Colt factory in Hartford but used modern manufacturing techniques and materials, producing, arguably, finer quality revolvers than even Colt did.
This is a very interesting example, one of USFA’s Government Inspector Series revolvers. The revolver has markings simulating those of actual Model 1873 Cavalry revolvers inspected by Henry Nettleton. In addition to the markings, the revolver has period-correct features such as the screw-retained cylinder pin and “bullseye” ejector tab. These revolvers also feature USFA’s premium Armory Blue finish with the frames case color hardened by none other than Turnbull. The result is a revolver which looks like an original may have back in the 19th century, but made better and, in this case, in better condition than you are ever likely to find an original. Whether you’re a fan of USFA specifically or the Single Action Army revolver in general, this is a wonderful piece that will add to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!