Lot 31

Nettleton Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 31
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6 image_7 image_8 image_9 image_10 image_11 image_12
Nettleton Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army
Nettleton Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4 image_5 image_6 image_7 image_8 image_9 image_10 image_11 image_12

Nettleton Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army

Estimate: $55,000 - $85,000

Starting Bid: $47,500

(0 Bids)
by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Remarkable "As-Issued" Henry Nettleton Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with John Kopec Gold Seal Letter and Factory Letter Many firearms have become deeply associated with the American frontier and the spirit of Manifest Destiny, though there are none that more completely embody the struggle, triumph, and mystique of the West than the Colt Single Action Army revolver. Much like the Colt is deeply intertwined with the story of the western frontier, the story of the West is woven into the very fabric of this country, defining us both as a nation and a people. Though it came to be known as the "Peacemaker", the Single Action Army was originally produced to make war, and was a trusted companion of America's fighting men for multiple decades, answering the country's call on the western frontier as well as battlefields around the world. In many ways, these legendary revolvers have become THE American sidearm, being widely recognized worldwide as a defining piece of Americana. In the holsters of U.S. cavalry troopers, lawmen, cowboys, outlaws, and Native Americans, these revolvers earned a reputation for being unrelentingly reliable and unwaveringly rugged, becoming highly revered by all those who carried them as well as generations of Americans that followed. These iconic revolvers were designed in 1872 by William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards and were chosen by the U.S. government as their standard sidearm that same year. The following year, the first Single Action Army revolvers began to be delivered by Colt and were issued to primarily troops of cavalry operating in the American West during the ongoing Indian Wars, leading to U.S. contract examples like this one being referred to simply as the "Cavalry Model". Almost immediately these revolvers began to earn a reputation in the hands of America's cavalry which translated to massive demand on the commercial market, particularly among the thousands of settlers flooding westward, all in search of a reliable arm to protect themselves, their families, and their property. To this day there is arguably no other weapon in our country's history that so thoroughly represents dogged determination of the American soldier as well as the unwavering spirit and fierce independence of the American citizen. These revolvers served as the right hand of our soldiers as we emerged on the world stage as a global military power as well as faithfully serving as the final line of defense in a society where individual liberty and personal self-defense remain deeply revered to this day. Even though he had passed a decade before these revolvers were designed, a phrase regarding Samuel Colt and his revolvers rang true with the Single Action Army: "God made man, Sam Colt made them equal." This particular U.S. Colt Cavalry Model revolver remains in astonishingly high condition, standing tall as an outstanding example of America's most iconic firearm. The included factory letter confirms the configuration of the revolver and that it was delivered to the U.S. government inspector at the Colt factory on 17 July 1878 as one of 150 revolvers of its type. Almost exactly two years prior at the Battle of Little Bighorn George Armstrong Custer was killed alongside his command of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, armed with Colt Cavalry Models, by Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. The battle marked one of the most high-profile defeats in the history of the U.S. military but also helped to cement the legendary status of the Single Action Army, as well as its deeply rooted association with the U.S. cavalry and the American West. The vast majority of the Cavalry Models issued to U.S. troops saw years of hard use on the frontier, with large numbers of them later returned to U.S. arsenals and converted to Artillery Model configuration. This has left select few available to modern collectors in their original, unaltered Cavalry Model configuration and even fewer in extremely high condition like this example. The included gold seal letter from the renowned late Single Action Army historian John Kopec details the incredible nature of this particular revolver. The letter notes that it was previously listed within his survey and falls between a noted Cavalry Model and a New York Militia revolver. Kopec notes that the high condition of this revolver and that it remains in its original Cavalry Model configuration indicates that it was issued to a state militia regiment and was stored in its armory, seeing little use. These scarce time capsule level Cavalry Model revolvers have come to be known to collectors as "Armory Guns". Kopec notes that in 1878 690 of these Henry Nettleton inspected Cavalry Models were issued to the State of Michigan and another 240 were issued to the District of Columbia, accounting for the two most likely destinations for this particular revolver. In 1902, the U.S. government authorized arming state militia units with the newer government standard Colt double action revolvers, designating these old warhorses as surplus to be sold on the commercial market. Thus, many of these Cavalry Models found their way into civilian hands, seeing long lives as working guns, and limiting the number of high condition examples even further. Kopec notes in closing that he "truly enjoyed reviewing this 'top-of-the-line' U.S. Cavalry revolver." The revolver itself is an exceptional example of a Henry Nettleton Colt Cavalry Model revolver remaining in incredibly high, unaltered condition. The top of the barrel has the one-line Colt address, and the left of the frame has the three-line patent dates followed by "US". All of the visible serial numbers are matching, and Henry Nettleton's "H.N." sub-inspection marking is found on all the major components. The revolver has standard features of the Colt Cavalry Model including the early pattern "bullseye" ejector rod head. The one-piece walnut grip is marked with John E. Greer's ordnance inspector marking on the left under the "1878" date, and Henry Nettleton's cartouche is on the right. "Armory Guns" such as this revolver often represent the closest a modern collector can get to an "as issued" example of the legendary Colt Cavalry Model revolver, and this particular example is certainly exceptional.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Single Action Army

BBL: 7 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 45 Long Colt

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: walnut

Serial Number48382

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection
  • Condition: Excellent as a truly astonishing example of America's most iconic firearm, retaining 97% plus of the original blue finish and 95% plus of the vibrant original case colors with the balance mostly a grey patina in the form of very light holster and handling wear, some scattered light scratches, and a faint cylinder turn line. The grip is excellent in "as new" condition according to Kopec with only the slightest handling evidence and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. These U.S. Colt Cavalry Model revolvers are rarely found in high condition like this. This sale presents a fleeting opportunity for a collector to add an incredible example of this country's most legendary sidearm to their collection!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Rock Island Auction will contact you shortly after the auction has completed. We will arrange for shipping and or pickup.

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000