This is a pretty interesting Colt that will come with a factory letter stating it was shipped to the U.S Govt. Dec.11th, 1880.  Also, a John Kopec letter and family letter. The Kopec letter states the obvious facts that the barrel was shortened and that the hammer is a 1920's replacement.  He also states that the pistol is totally correct and may be a Colt Buy-back.  The family letter states that it belonged to Capt. Thomas Dyson .  All of the information on his service in the 3rd Cav. while stationed in Texas is correct and verified by Natl. Archives records from 1942.   The holster was his personal civilian holster and bears his initials.
The pistol is all matching with all the proper inspection initials and a nice 1880 date above the left grip cartouche. The action is crisp and very smooth.  Almost all of the nickel finish is still on the barrel and trigger guard.  Where as it's mostly gone on the cylinder (from sitting in the holster).  The frame has about 50% nickel remaining. The U.S was purposely removed from the frame. Kopec states that this was standard procedure on buy backs. We also know that he took this revolver home with him after his discharge so he  may have removed the U.S  himself.  In any case, a nice looking Colt that was on the Texas frontier during the Indian Wars.  

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