Make: Colt

Model: Cloverleaf House Model Revolver

Serial Number: 932

Year of Manufacture: 1871

Caliber: .41 Rimfire

Action Type: Single Action, Side-Loading 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.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece smooth wood panels. The inside of each panel has "932" hand-written. The grips have some scattered light nicks and scuffs, but no notable damage. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue & Nickel (the frame is nickel-plated brass)

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The cylinder is serial marked "673" and is not original to the frame.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 4 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 7% of its metal finish. Nickel remains only under the grip panels. There is infrequent bluing, mostly on the bottom of the barrel where protected by the cylinder pin/ejector rod. There are scattered light nicks and small scratches. Likely due to being a replacement, the cylinder is installed with a shim on the front. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. Most markings are clear, the cylinder's serial marking is partially obscured by erosion, but legible. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition as Antique and not parts-original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

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 pretty good shape for a 150 year old gun but does have erosion in the bore and the cylinder. At serial 932 of fewer than 10,000 made, it is quite early in production and coincides with the early development of the Single Action Army. The cylinder has been replaced, likely accounting for the shim installed on the front. For the dedicated collector, this Cloverleaf is not one to pass up. Please see our photos and good luck!