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LOT 3195
Highly Desirable Ainsworth
Inspected Three Digit Serial Number 388 U.S. Cavalry
Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 388, 45 Long
Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This U.S. contract Colt Single Action Army revolver was manufactured in 1874 and was subsequently arsenal refinished but has remained in the classic Cavalry Model
configuration. Full blued arsenal refinished SAA revolvers are rare in general, especially in Cavalry configuration.
Expert John Kopec has commented on blued frame U.S. Colt SAAs in the past, noting they appear to be arsenal refinished in the period, but by
which arsenal or arsenals remains unclear. In “Full blue, It’s Fact” by Dave Lanara from “The Rampant Colt” Summer 2008 issue, it is reported that full blued
Cavalry and Artillery revolvers were refinished at the Manila Arsenal. The bottom of the barrel at the breech, the side of the cylinder, the frame, the trigger
guard, and the back strap are all stamped with the very low serial number “388.” The serial number is also handwritten in black ink in the rear mortise of
the grip. Serial number 386 (two digits away) is identified in “Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study” by Kopec and Fenn as an Ainsworth
inspected revolver issued to Co. B of the 1st Cavalry and later to the New York Militia. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the early Colt two-line
patent marking followed by a “U.S.” property mark. The inside of the loading gate does not have an assembly number. The barrel has a blade front sight and is roll-stamped with the
“script” address “+COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.+” showing the unbroken “o” in “Co.” and broken “A” in “HARTFORD” found in the early revolvers. The correct first type
ejector housing has the “bullseye” ejector bottom. The underside of the barrel is stamped with the matching serial number (correctly exposed) a small Ainsworth “A” sub-inspection
mark and “P” proof mark. The early correct style matching number cylinder has small bolt stops and guides and is stamped with the “A” sub-inspection mark and “P” proof. The lower
left side of the grip has traces of the cartouche. The top of the back strap behind the hammer has another small “A” sub-inspection mark. The left side of the grip on the butt has the
letters “J” and “D” hand marked.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus of the arsenal refurbished blue finish throughout, fading mostly on the cylinder which has brown patina on the balance, minimal light spotting, some minor dings and scratches, and fairly minor overall wear considering this was one of the first 500 Colt Single Action Army revolvers ever made and was a U.S. contract revolver. The grip has a smooth oiled finish, mild lower edge wear, some minor flakes at the toe and heel, and general mild handling wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a very impressive Ainsworth inspected three-digit serial number U.S. Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver!
Estimate: 10,000 - 20,000
LOT 3196
Documented U.S. Colt Artillery Model
Single Action Army Revolver with Kopec Letter - Serial no.
2133, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. The frame of this Artillery Model revolver was originally manufactured in 1873 in the
first contract of O.W. Ainsworth inspected Cavalry Model revolvers. The trigger guard is numbered “16824”, from a Cavalry Model revolver manufactured in 1875 and bears the “J” inspection mark of W.W. Johnson, who was
an assistant inspector for A.P. Casey for a short time. The back strap is numbered “21871”, the barrel is numbered “6180” with an “A” Ainsworth inspection mark, and the cylinder is numbered “5718” with David F. Clark’s “D.F.C.” inspection mark. The assembly number
“193” is marked inside the loading gate and a “C” inspection mark is above the firing pin hole. It has blade and groove sights and is fitted with a one-piece walnut grip. An included John Kopec letter details some of the information regarding this revolver, as well as
the removed “U.S.” marking, which Kopec speculates was removed sometimes after the revolvers time in military service.
CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly a smooth plum brown patina with some scattered patches of light pitting overall with most of the markings legible apart from the removed “U.S.” marking (see above. The grip is also fine with a period splice repair in the lower front corner of the left panel
and some light handling marks. The half cock notch is non-functional, otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
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