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LOT 49
Highly Desirable Documented Ainsworth Sub-Inspected Three Digit Serial Number 730 U.S./New York Militia Colt Cavalry
Model Single Action Army Revolver with John Kopec Gold Seal Letter - Serial no. 730, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This early production, three digit serial number 730 U.S. contract Colt Single Action Army
revolver was manufactured in 1873 and was sub-inspected by O.W. Ainsworth. The revolver was recently examined by noted Colt
historian and author John Kopec and he recorded his observations in his accompanying
gold seal letter of authentication. The revolver was a new listing to Kopec’s survey and
falls between nos. 725 (Cavalry Model) and 731 (Artillery Model) in this database. It was
originally part of Lot One (nos. 177-1191), revolvers that were received at the Springfield
National Armory on November 28, 1873 and mostly issued to the 10th Cavalry. In 1895, the
revolver was returned to the Colt factory and was part of the initial group of 800 refurbished
revolvers issued to the State of New York. Per Kopec, the revolver left the Colt factory for the
second time on October 4, 1895. Kopec noted 1895 modifications: improving the cylinder
bolt stops, replacement grip with Rinaldo A. Carr’s “RAC” sub-inspector initials, and loading
gate and frame applied with a bin number as part of the case coloring process. The left side
of the frame is roll-stamped with the early Colt two-line patent marking followed by a “U.S.”
property mark. The barrel has a blade front sight and is roll-stamped with the “script” address
“+COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.+.” The correct first type ejector housing has
the “bullseye” ejector bottom. The underside of the barrel is stamped with the matching
serial number (correctly exposed), a small Ainsworth “A” sub-inspection mark and “P” proof
mark. The cylinder also has the matching serial number and “P” proof mark. Another small
Ainsworth “A” sub-inspection mark is found on the trigger guard. Matching serial numbers
appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Fine as Colt factory refurbished in 1895. The barrel and ejector rod housing
retain 30% of the blue finish, the cylinder retains 20% of the blue in the flutes, the grip straps
retain 20% of the blue finish, and the frame and hammer retain patches of case colors in
the protected areas with the balance a mix of smooth gray and brown patina and some
pitting mostly on the cylinder. The grip is very fine with some high edge wear and some very
scattered handling marks. Mechanically functions but hammer has only three clicks.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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