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The grandfather helped the emigrant by letting him stay at
his home for several weeks, and this revolver was the only
thing the emigrant had of any value so he gave it to the man
as a showing of appreciation. The Ludlow Massacre resulted
in the deaths of 25 people including 11 children and two
women killed in a fire started by the National Guard and was
one of the most violent episodes in U.S. labor history.
The top of the barrel is marked with the early slant letter
“+ COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A+.” The two
line, two patent date marking on the left side of the frame is
followed by “U.S.” The cylinder, trigger guard and top of the
back strap are marked with Ainsworth’s “A” initial, and there
is also a “P” proof mark on the cylinder. There is a “C” marked
in the hammer well. The matching serial number is marked
on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, back strap, barrel
under the correct ejector housing, and cylinder. The loading
gate is marked with the assembly number “879”. The ejector
rod head is the correct early “bulls eye” or donut style with
the hole in the center, blue finish with casehardened frame
and hammer, and fitted with a smooth one-piece walnut
grip. Nearly all of these early issued Cavalry Models saw hard
use. Surviving examples of are difficult to find and inevitably
show heavy service wear.
CONDITION: Fine. The metal surfaces have 40% blue with
the balance a mottled gray patina with bright original blue
finish in protected areas. There is some blue present on the
cylinder, heaviest in the flutes. The frame shows 40% original
case colors with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The
grip is good with hole carved into the upper left side, some
flattening on the left side, lower edge wear and numerous
dings on the bottom, which also extent to the butt of the
back strap. The markings are clear. The action functions, but
the half cock notch is absent. A solid representative example
of a prime 7th Cavalry Lot Six serial number range Ainsworth
inspected Colt Cavalry Model Revolver identified as a New
York militia small arm with an intriguing connection to early
20th century American labor relations. This Colt Cavalry
Model certainly has it all and would be a welcome addition
to any collection.
Provenance: The Horvat Family; The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000
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