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LOT 1250
Desirable Documented First Year Production Ainsworth Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with John Kopec Letter - Serial no. 1078, 45
Long Colt 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 1873 and sub- inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth. In his accompanying letter of authentication, noted
Colt expert and author John Kopec stated the revolver falls between numbers 1073 (a commercially shipped
revolver) and 1095 (an Artillery Model component) and that he believes this revolver shipped c. 2 September 1873.
He goes on to state that the nearest referenced serial number in the National Archives is 1144, which was reported stolen from Co. C 8th cavalry on 19 January 1876. He also states that most of these early revolvers were issued to the 2nd, 6th, and 10th cavalry regiments in the first quarter of 1874. Kopec
notes that the digit “8” in the serial number throughout this revolver is stamped upside down. Matching serial numbers are visible on the frame, barrel, trigger guard, and back strap. The top of the barrel has the standard two line address, while the left of the frame has the two-line patent dates and “U.S.”
Kopec notes the very crisp O.W. Ainsworth cartouche on the left of the one piece grip which was not removed from the back strap by him or the writer. He notes that the cylinder is an unnumbered later production replacement, but has been paired with the revolver for many years as the patina matches perfectly. He also states that the revolver appears to have been fired very few times. Ainsworth’s “A” inspection mark is visible on the bottom of the barrel, trigger guard below the serial number, and at the top of the back strap, and the assembly number “58” is marked inside the loading gate. There is
a small “C” marked just above the firing pin hole. Kopec finishes his letter by stating that he is unable to explain how this exceptional revolver survived in its original Cavalry configuration without being altered to Artillery configuration during the 1893 recall, but that it was possibly “liberated” by a deserter.
CONDITION: Very good, retains traces of the original blue finish on the trigger guard with the balance a smooth, untouched grey patina and a few scattered patches of very light surface pitting. The grip is fine with a small chip absent at the top of the right side, a few scattered minor dings, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of a very early production, Ainsworth inspected, U.S. Colt Cavalry Model revolver! Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 1251
U.S. Artillery Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 704, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This revolver is an attractive example of a U.S. contract Colt Single Action Army refurbished and updated to “Artillery” configuration with 5 1/2 inch barrel in 1901 for issue to U.S. forces in the Philippines. The early frame has serial number “704” which dates to 1874. The cylinder has “50596” and an “HN” inspection mark, the trigger guard has “17422,” and the back strap has “9627” and an “A” inspection mark. The barrel has a blade front sight, the one-line address, “45 COLT” on the left, and a “P” on the bottom. The frame has the two-line patent marking followed by “U.S.” The loading gate has assembly number “340.” The grip has “1901” over an “OCH” cartouche on the left and “R.A.C.” on the left side at the butt. CONDITION: Fine with 85% plus Colt refurbished blue finish on the cylinder and grip straps, 25% original blue on the barrel and ejector housing, strong original case colors on the hammer and in the recesses of the frame, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and general mild overall wear. The grip is also fine and has mild lower edge wear, legible markings, and light scratches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500