This is an excellent original example of a U.S. contract Colt Single Action Cavalry revolver that was manufactured in 1882 and inspected by Capt. John E. Greer (J.E.G.) and Ordnance Sub-Inspector David F. Clark (D.F.C.). The revolver comes with a letter of evaluation by Colt expert R. L Wilson that states this revolver is the finest known example of a Cavalry Single Action revolver inspected by J.E.G. and D.F.C. Wilson wrote, “Colt Single Action Army Peacemaker revolver no. 82730 is worthy of the most discriminating of collections of Colt firearms. This scarce and desirable Colt revolver is symbolic of the great American West, of the vital role played by the U.S. cavalry in taming the frontier, and is the finest known example inspected by David F. Clark and John E. Greer. The revolver was also examined by noted Colt historian and author John Kopec. In his gold seal letter of authentication Kopec reiterates the revolver’s “near new condition.” Based on its high condition Kopec concluded that the revolver was among surplus Cavalry Models discovered at the Arsenal and sold as surplus on the civilian market in the 1920s. The revolver was previously recorded in Kopec’s study and falls between two consecutive Cavalry Models (nos. 82729 and 82731) in this study. Kopec noted that at some point the revolver was handled incorrectly resulting in the sear and hammer notches being sheared. Other highlights from the letter included the identifying the desirable “candy striping” in the blue finish on the grip straps, vivid original case colors, and “prominent” feathering at the front sight. The revolver has a military blue finish on the barrel, cylinder, back strap and trigger guard. The frame, loading gate and hammer are color casehardened. The one-piece walnut grip is oil-finished. The revolver has the early bullseye ejector rod head and cavalry hammer with elongated bordered knurling on the spur and a cone-shaped firing pin. The "D.F.C." Ordnance sub-inspection mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel, the side of the cylinder, the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap and on the lower left heel of the grip. A "P" proof mark is stamped in front of the "D.F.C." marking on the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. Small "G" and "C" Colt inspection marks are visible on the underside of the barrel behind the ejector housing stud. "O" and "J" are stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. "S" is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the elongated block letter address "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.". The left side of the frame is stamped with the Colt three-date/three-line patent markings followed by the "U.S." property mark. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "1146" The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The partial serial number, "2730" is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. The lower left side of the grip is stamped with the date "1882" above the final inspector's mark which consists of the script initial "J.E.G." with an oval border. The sub-inspection stamp which consists of the script initials "DFC" in a rectangle is stamped on the lower right side of the grip. Provenance: The Gateway Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Excellent. The revolver is exceptional and retains 85% plus of the original blue and 95% color casehardened finish. The barrel and ejector housing have some extremely minor edge wear. The 'feathered' Colt polishing marks are visible on either side of the front sight and above the ejector housing stud. The barrel address, serial number, inspection mark and proof mark are sharp. The cylinder retains nearly all of the original blue finish; wear is limited to some minor finish loss on the edge and a light turn-mark. The trigger guard and back strap have nearly all of the blue finish with sharp serial numbers and inspection marks. 97% of the vivid case colors are present on the frame, hammer and loading gate. The patent markings and "U.S." property mark are crisp. The trigger and frame, trigger guard and grip screws are excellent with nearly all of fiery niter blue finish. The screws are free from screw-driver marks. The grip is outstanding with nearly all of the oil finish, sharp edges, crisp inspection marks and date and virtually no handling wear. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptional example of an original, 1882 production D.F.C. inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Revolver with Authentication letter by the most well known Colt Author/Historian/Expert. It would be hard to improve upon this outstanding revolver.