Page 119 - 86-Book3

LOT 3137
Documented
“Artillery Model” U.S. Colt Single Action
Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no.
47641, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. The
factory letter indicates this revolver was originally part of a 200 gun shipment delivered to the U.S. inspector at Colt on September 13, 1878. At that time, it would have been in “Cavalry Model”
configuration with a 7 1/2 inch barrel and matching parts. The letter goes on to note that this revolver was returned
to Colt for refurbishing and left as an “Artillery Model” when it was delivered to the inspector at Colt on January 31, 1896. It was also returned for further refurbishing in delivered a final time to Springfield Armory on August 21, 1903. This indicates this revolver likely had a long service life in the late 19th century and early 20th century, including likely use in its current configuration in the Spanish-American War and/or Philippine-American War and after it was sold off as surplus. It has a blade front sight, “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.-” on top of the barrel, early style ejector with
“bullseye” button, “P” and “R.A.C.” on the bottom of the barrel ahead of the cylinder pin, the three-line
patent marking and “U S” on the left side of the frame, “H.N.” and “47641” on the bottom of the frame, “113458” and “G” at the front of the trigger guard, “6690” on the back strap at the toe, “R.A.C.” on the rear of the cylinder, “6394” on the loading gate, “S” above the firing pin hole, small “A” behind the hammer, “1903” over a boxed “RAC” cartouche on the right side of the grip and “R.A.C.” on the butt to each side of
the back strap.
CONDITION: Fine with 60% factory blue finish on the cylinder, 30% factory blue on the barrel
which has extensive cleaning lines, additional blue in some of the protected areas, 40% case colors, more cleaning lines on the frame, mottled gray and brown patina on the balance, and general moderate overall wear. The slightly undersized grip is also fine and has mild handling and edge wear, worn but legible markings, and slight flakes. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3138
Ainsworth Inspected U.S. Cavalry Model
Colt Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 7915, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. This early U.S. contract Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army was manufactured in 1874 and sub-inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth. It is close to serial numbers 7918
and 7926 recorded on page 28 of “Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study” by Kopec and Fenn as Ainsworth New York Militia revolvers. The revolver has matching serial numbers on the barrel (bright original blue remaining under ejector housing!),
cylinder, frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The grip serial number begins with “4.” The 7 1/2 inch barrel has a blade front sight, italic “+ COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+” barrel address with die break in the “o,” and “P” and “A” on the
bottom ahead of the cylinder pin. The frame has the early two-line, two-date patent marking followed by “U. S.” on the left and “272” on the loading gate. The trigger guard and back strap have Ainsworth’s “A” mark ahead of the
bow and behind the hammer respectively. The replacement grip has no visible cartouches.
CONDITION: Good. This revolver shows signs of a long service life and is typical of firearms that went to the American West. It received a period, possibly arsenal blue refinishing job at some point long ago and then saw subsequent use. Patches of this blue finish can be found in the protected areas such as in the loading cutout and under the ejector housing. The forward trigger guard screw hole exhibits numerous file and gouging marks. The balance displays mottled gray patina and patches of moderate pitting. The replacement grip is also good and shows moderate wear mainly at the edges. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
117