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LOT 3162
Ainsworth Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver with Kopec Letter - Serial no.
4216, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Offered here is a historic 1874 production
Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver, originally inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth, issued to the U.S. government and
likely extensively used out west, and later beautifully factory refurbished. Orville W. Ainsworth was the principal sub-inspector of the
War Department, Ordnance Office, in October 1873 through November 7, 1874, and performed the sub-inspection of every one of the first
approximately 12,500 U.S. contract Colt Single Action Army revolvers in the recorded serial range between 200 through 14343, per information
on page 201 of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” by Graham, Kopec, and Moore. The revolver was examined by noted Colt historian and author John
Kopec, and he recorded his observations in his accompanying letter of authentication, dated July 9, 2003. The revolver was a new listing to Kopec’s survey and falls
between two Artillery Models in his database with serial numbers 4213 and 4221. Kopec states, “Historically, we could not locate this revolver’s serial number in the National
Archives records available to us. The nearest cited example to the subject revolver’s serial number is 4221, a revolver which had been issued to the Railway Mail Service circa 1890. Our
survey records however indicate that there was a group of revolvers from serial #2902 thru #4596 which were issued to ‘Co. K, 4th Cavalry’ and are so marked on their respective frames. Since no other
4th Cavalry units so marked their revolvers, it is our contention that there were many other revolvers from within this general serial number range which were issued to the other 4th Cavalry companies
which were not marked with unit identifications. Therefore, the subject revolver #4216 being in close proximity to #4241 (a Co. K, example) it is believed that it too could very possibly have also been a
4th Cavalry issued revolver.” Kopec further states that this revolver appears to have escaped the Ordnance Department’s 1893 recall, retains its 7 1/2 inch barrel length, and was likely later purchased by
a private individual as surplus and has been “correctly factory refinished” by Colt sometime around the 1920s-1930s, in which Kopec further lists all of the features indicating the factory work performed
such as the updated re-rolled Colt Hartford barrel address. “45 COLT” marked on the left of the barrel. Two-line patent date markings ahead of the “U.S.” property stamp on the left of the frame. Small
factory rework star marking on right rear side of trigger guard. Matching visible serial numbers marked on the frame, trigger guard, cylinder (faintly legible), and back strap.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 75% bright blue finish and case colors, with cylinder drag lines, drilled hole in the front sight blade, and distinct barrel markings. Grip is also fine with some light handling marks and defined edges.
Mechanically excellent. A historic Ainsworth inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3163
Fine U.S. Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 4377, 45
Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Originally
manufactured in 1874 as a U.S. issued Cavalry Model with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, and later
refurbished and fitted with a 5 1/2 inch barrel as an Artillery Model for reissue. Although his
inspector mark is no longer visible on the frame, this revolver would have originally been inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth, who performed
the sub-inspection of every one of approximately the first approximately 12,500 U.S. contract Colt Single Action Army revolvers in the recorded
serial range between 200 through 14343, per information on page 201 of “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” by Graham, Kopec,
and Moore. This historic revolver certainly has plenty of stories to tell, in which it would have seen plenty of action out west with the U.S.
military during the Indian Wars era prior to its continued use into the turn of the 20th century. Many of these Artillery Model revolvers were
issued during the Spanish-American War, including to Theodore Roosevelt’s famous Rough Riders, as well as during the Philippine Insurrection and Moro
Rebellion where the .45 Long Colt was reported to have been more suitable for stopping Moro attacks. The barrel has a blade front sight, early type one-line Hartford address
on top, and ejector with bulls-eye button. The frame has the two-line patent date markings on the left followed by “US”. Serial number “4377” on the frame, with “7786” on the rear grip strap and trigger
guard. The grip has Rinaldo A. Carr’s “R.A.C.” inspection initials stamped on both sides of the butt and a “1903” date above a bordered script “RAC” cartouche on the right.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 85% blue finish on the grip straps and trigger guard, 40% blue finish on the barrel and cylinder, 50% case colors, with smooth brown patina on the balance, some light pitting,
and a legible barrel address. Grip is very fine, with defined edges, light handling wear, and crisp stamps. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500