Make: Colt

Model: Cloverleaf House Model

Serial Number: 8570

Year of Manufacture: 1875

Caliber: .41 Rimfire

Action Type: Single Action Revolver

Barrel Length: 3"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a "V" notch in the topstrap.

Grip Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood. The interior of the right panel appears to have the serial hand-written, but it is not very clear. There is some scattered handling wear and finish loss. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches with one more notable ding at the top of the right panel. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Nickel

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The cylinder has a non-matching serial marking and is a replacement.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 7/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The frame has generally strong finish. The barrel has lost much of its finish, remaining around the front sight and cylinder pin lug. There is scattered finish loss on the cylinder and hammer. There is some scattered minor oxidation and erosion, mostly cleaned out. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tooled with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this handgun rates in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Colt's first ever solid frame, metallic cartridge revolver, the Cloverleaf House model represented a huge leap forward for revolver design. Chambered for the .41 rimfire cartridge, the House revolver's fluted four-round cylinder gives it the name "Cloverleaf" due to the shape of the cylinder when viewed from the front or rear. The chambers of the Cloverleaf were recessed, a feature not to return to Colt revolvers for many years and a particularly important safety feature for rimfire guns which can have a cartridge set off by impact on the edges of the rim. This example is in quite nice condition for a 150 year old gun, made toward the end of production. For the dedicated collector, this Cloverleaf is not one to pass up. Please see our photos and good luck!