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LOT 1128
Desirable Documented Ainsworth Inspected
U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Revolver with U.S. Holster, Family Affidavit, and John Kopec
Letter - Serial no. 7639, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This early U.S. contract Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army was manufactured in 1874, sub-
inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth, and falls in the serial number range (7528-8652) of 1,000 Cavalry Models issued to the 5th, 8th, and 9th Cavalries. In his accompanying letter of authentication, noted Colt expert and author John Kopec stated the revolver falls between nos. 7549 and 7640 known to have been issued to the 5th Cavalry. The 5th Cavalry was stationed throughout the Arizona Territory, was issued 502 Cavalry Models, and received their initial Cavalry Models from lot 8 (nos.7528-8657) during the 3rd quarter
of 1874 (July-September). In the letter Kopec also addressed the ejector rod and housing: “This non-factory added assembly appears to have been affixed to this revolver during its early frontier days. It was not added during its military life because spare ejector
r
assemblies were available from the Ordnance Department. We believe that this very colorful and totally functionally repair was accomplished at some remote western outpost by a truly capable blacksmith or frontier gunsmith. This unique repair could therefore certainly add to the ambiance of this unique revolver fo the western artifact collector.” Other points of interest include the original main spring, polished cylinder pin and “old contemporary replacement” cylinder pin screw. Kopec also examined the accompanying U.S. M1881 holster. The holster has the Rock Island Arsenal stamping along with the inspector initials and the number “33A” on the flap. The revolver has matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The ejector rod housing was not removed
for verification of the barrel number. The barrel has the correct one-line Hartford address. Ainsworth’s “A” initial and “P” proof appear on the underside of
the barrel and cylinder. An additional Ainsworth “A” initials are found on the trigger guard and back strap. The frame has the early two-line, two-date patent marking followed by “U. S.” on the left. Also included in a letter from Randy Satchwell, owner of Retro Firearms of Petoskey, Michigan, explaining the chain of ownership from the Garber family until it was sold to Retro Firearms in 2022. The seller, Ralph Garber, stated the revolver belonged to his great grandfather, James Noble Garber Sr., who originally lived in Ohio before settling in Michigan.
CONDITION: Good as a U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Revolver that spent a lifetime in military and civilian service. From its classic weathered, well used appearance to its frontier repairs, this revolver has all the hallmarks of a well traveled sidearm in a hostile environment. Action needs work. The holster is good with clear arsenal markings. A true survivor of the Western frontier, this U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Revolver certainly has a story to tell!
Provenance: James Noble Garber Family; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 1129
Documented U.S. Colt Artillery Model Single
Action Army Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 132307, 45 LC cal.,
5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
grips. These Colt “Artillery Model” Single Action Army revolvers were brought back into service during the Spanish-American War, Filipino-American War, and Moro Rebellion. Though nicknamed
“Artillery Models”, they were actually issued to a variety of U.S. Army units and particularly known to
have been favored for use against the Moro warriors who were known to continue fighting after being shot with
the weaker .38 caliber Colt double action revolvers also in use. The revolver has mixed numbers and components typical of the Artillery variants. The frame (“132307”) dates to 1890, while the trigger guard and back strap (“131499”) also date to 1890. The underside of the barrel is stamped with
a “P” proof and inspector initials “D.F.C.”“RAC” inspector initials are found on the bottom of the frame and the bottom of the grip, and there are a few “K” inspection marks throughout. The left side of the frame has the three-line patent marking followed by “US.” The grip has a faint script letter
cartouche on the right side. The included factory letter confirms the original shipment to the U.S. government inspector at the Colt plant on 20 May
1890, and has additional notes that it was returned to the factory for refurbishment and reassembly in Artillery configuration and reshipped on 23 October 1895. CONDITION: Fine as factory refurbished in Artillery configuration, retains 30% of the blue finish and 40% plus of the vibrant case colors with the balance having thinned to mostly
a smooth grey patina and a few scattered small patches of light surface pitting. The grip is fine with some mild wear and some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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