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LOT 3130
Desirable Documented First Year Production U.S. Ainsworth Inspected Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with John Kopec Silver Seal Letter - Serial no. 1987, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This early U.S. Cavalry Colt Single Action Army was manufactured in 1873 under contract with the U.S. government. O.W. Ainsworth’s desirable “A” inspector mark is found on the trigger guard, barrel, cylinder, back strap and bottom of the grip. Ainsworth physically inspected SAA revolvers are recorded in the serial number range 200 through 14343. This was the first major block of U.S. Cavalry revolvers. Per the included silver sealed letter of authentication, noted Single Action Army expert and author John Kopec states, “Historically, we could not locate this revolver’s serial number in the National Archives records available to us. We do however find that this revolver’s serial #1987 falls between #1982 a ‘Troop G, 5th Cavalry’ revolver as of August 17th 1886 and #2019 a revolver that belonged to ‘Troop C, 8th Cavalry’ as of August 5th 1889. Most of these early production revolvers were issued to the Sixth and Tenth Cavalry regiments during the First-Quarter of 1874. The Fifth and Eighth regiments did not receive their initial issues until the Fourth-Quarter of 1874. (October- December). Our subject revolver’s serial number falls between two 6th Cavalry examples i.e. #1628 and #2223 in these records. The revolver #1628 is recorded as being ‘lost’ by the Sixth Cavalry on November 12th 1875, indicating that it had been part of this initial allotment to the Sixth Cavalry.” and further states, “How did this revolver survive in its original Cavalry configuration without being recalled during 1893 and subsequently being altered into the Artillery configuration? The standard answer to this question is that it had been lost, stolen (deserter) or captured by the hostile Indians. The only obvious answer to this question is that it had been ‘liberated’ by a Cavalry deserter prior to this 1893 recall period.” A “P” proof is found on the cylinder and barrel. The barrel is marked with the one-line “+COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.+” address on top, and the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by “US.” The ejector rod has a bullseye head. The left of the grip has a faint script letter cartouche. The matching full serial number is found on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and barrel. CONDITION: Very good plus with enticing wear patterns indicative of period use, retains 20% original blue finish strongest on the side of the ejector rod housing and underside of the barrel with various scratches and gray and brown patinas on the balance, 25% plus vivid original case colors visible on the front side areas of the frame with cloudy brown patina on the balance, and sharp markings in the metal overall. Replacement hammer and cylinder pin. Grip is very good as re-oiled, with a chip at the bottom front corner of each panel, some light scratches, and visible inspection stamps. Mechanically excellent. This early U.S. Ainsworth inspected Cavalry Colt Single Action Army revolver undeniably has some stories to tell, and would make a fine addition to any U.S. Military or Colt cavalry collection! Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
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