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This early Colt Single Action Army has the Model 1860 Army type mainspring without
the hammer roller channel and displays the correct italic “+COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co.
HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+” barrel address with die breaks in the “o” in “Co.” and the “A” in
“HARTFORD.” Kopec also notes that it has the early ejector tube without the bevel on the
leading edge and the “mystery bevel” on the forward part of the frame. The revolver has
blade and groove sights, a “bulls-eye” ejector button, the two-line 1871 and 1872 patent
marking on the left side of the frame followed by “U.S.”, “P” and “A” on the underside of
the barrel at the breech as well as on the cylinder, additional “A” sub-inspection marks
on the trigger guard and top of the back strap as well as a faint “A” on the butt of the
grip on the left, a “C” on the barrel under the ejector housing, assembly number “824” on
the loading gate, and the full matching serial numbers on the barrel under the ejector
housing, cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and butt. Ainsworth’s “OWA” cartouche is visible
on the left side of the grip.
CONDITION: Fine with 30% plus original blue finish remaining in the protected areas
by the front sight, ejector housing, breech and top of the back strap, 25% original
case colors on the hammer and protected areas of the frame, gray and brown patina
on the balance, mild oxidation/pitting, and generally fairly mild overall wear for an
Ainsworth inspected Lot 5 revolver. The grip is very good with a period added coat of
varnish, clearly legible cartouche, and minor scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Kopec notes this revolver is, “All in all, a very presentable example of a ‘Custer-era’ Colt
Cavalry revolver.” These Lot Five revolvers are very historically significant as some of the
earliest U.S. contract revolvers and as among the “prime lots” of revolvers from which
the revolvers used by the 7th U.S. Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, one of the
greatest Native American victories and most infamous U.S. military defeats.
Estimate: 55,000 - 85,000