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LOT 3153
Nickel Plated Ainsworth Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with
Kopec Letter - Serial no. 1232, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips.
This early production U.S. contract Ainsworth inspected Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army was
manufactured in the first year of production in 1873, during the height of the Indian Wars era. The
revolver was examined by noted Colt Single Action Army authority John A. Kopec, and he recorded
his observations in his accompanying letter of authentication, dated October 24, 2024, in which he
states, “This revolver #1232 was previously (Feb. 11, 1995) listed in our survey and falls between two
other U.S. Cavalry revolvers i.e. #1225 and #1233 (a 6th Cavalry issue) in this data-base. This revolver
was manufactured during 1873 (shipped c. October) and ordnance sub-inspected by O.W. Ainsworth.
His tiny initial ‘A’ may be observed throughout the various components of this revolver. His somewhat
worn cartouche may be found on the lower left grip. Historically, we could not locate this revolver’s
serial number in the National Archives records available to us. The consecutively numbered revolver
#1233 is listed in these records as being ‘lost’ by the 6th Cavalry on June 14th 1875. The Sixth Cavalry
received their initial issues of these new ‘Strap-pistols’ during the Second-Quarter of 1874 (April-
June). They were at the time stationed at various forts and camps throughout Colorado Territory,
Kansas and Indian Territory. The Sixth Cavalry issues are reported to range from #1192 thru #2332,
so there is a very good chance that our subject revolver had also been issued to the Sixth Cavalry
during the Indian Wars period.” Kopec further states, “We believe that our subject revolver had
escaped being refurbished during the Spanish-American War era and had subsequently been sold as
surplus. Whomever purchased this revolver had it nickel-plated. It was not plated by the Colt factory
because they would not have plated the hammer or screws and would have marked the revolver
with their ‘45 CAL’ caliber designation. The U.S. Ordnance Department never supplied these revolvers
with a nickel finish. The term ‘Buy-back’ is no longer being used for these nickel-plated U.S. Cavalry
revolvers.” Kopec goes on to note the revolver having a replacement ejector spring, the unnumbered
cylinder possibly being a “spare-parts” replacement, fitted with an “extra-strong” mainspring, blue
finished replacement trigger, and original grip.
There are various theories for these nickel plated Cavalry Models, including that some were issued
to Indian Scouts and Police, possible special order “officers” revolvers, U.S. Navy use, or surplus
militia revolvers sold back to Colt or nickeled by commercial businesses, according to information
on page 250 of Graham, Moore and Kopec’s “A Study of The Colt Single Action Army Revolver” (1978
printing) in which a whole chapter is dedicated to these guns on pages 249-258, where the authors
mention the earliest known recorded nickel plated U.S. revolver being serial number 2799 (later
than this revolver) and identifies
the largest single block of nickeled
Cavalry revolvers as being in the 11800-14230
serial number range, all manufactured in 1874 and all inspected by
Ainsworth. This information is retold on pages 20-21 of Fenn and
Kopec’s “Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers…a Continuing Study” as well
as listing a group of revolvers purchased by the State of Virginia and
immediately sold and nickel plated through an arms dealer.
The revolver is stamped with Orville W. Ainsworth’s distinctive “A”
sub-inspectors mark on the bottom of the barrel, below the serial number on the trigger guard, on
the cylinder, and on the top of the back strap. The bottom left side of the one-piece walnut grip is
stamped with his bordered script “OWA” inspection cartouche. The cylinder and barrel also bear a “P”
proof mark. The revolver features blade front and notch rear sights, bullseye ejector, and one piece
walnut grip. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line address “+COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co.
HARTFORD, CT, U.S.A.+” correctly showing the die breaks in the “o” in “Co” and partially broken “A” in
“HARTFORD”, and the left side of the frame is marked with the two-line, two patent dates followed
by “U.S.” The full matching visible serial number “1232” is marked on the bottom of the barrel,
frame, trigger guard and back strap, with an unnumbered cylinder, and assembly number “224” on
the loading gate. Includes a Colt Archive letter indicating that Colt was unable to locate shipping
information on this revolver and mentions that records between 1873 to 1876 “were destroyed years
ago, and are no longer available.” Also includes a binder containing compiled research documents.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 97% period applied nickel plated finish, with a few small spots of
minor flaking showing smooth brown patina, and mostly defined markings and edges in the metal
overall. Grip is very good as revarnished, with some light scratches, dents, and chips, and a visible
cartouche. The hammer does not remain in the half cock position, and the cylinder occasionally
seizes during cycling. This desirable nickel plated Ainsworth inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Single Action
Army revolver would make a fine addition to any Colt collection!
Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
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