1356

AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.
SN 12732. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" bbl, nearly full front sight and 1-line block letter address. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small "U.S.". Ejector housing is first type with bull's eye ejector rod head and base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. The bbl, trigger guard, back strap & cyl have small "A" (Orville W. Ainsworth) sub-inspector initials. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has last four digits of matching SN in back strap channel. This revolver was part of the first contract for 8,000 revolvers produced in 1873 & 1874. Undoubtedly it would have been issued to one of the Western cavalry units, probably the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 9th or 10th Cavalry Regiment, all of which were engaged in fighting Indians from Texas to Arizona, the Rocky Mountain region and Central Plains. These revolvers saw hard service on the frontier and are rarely ever found in completely orig configuration with any orig finish. Most of them were recalled in the 1890s and early 1900s for modification to artillery configuration by having their bbls reduced to 5-1/2". That this one escaped these recalls tends to support that it may have been issued to the 9th Cavalry Regiment (Buffalo Soldiers) who fought alongside Col. Roosevelt & the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War. Accompanied by a 2-page letter from renowned Colt authority, historian & author, John Kopec, wherein he speculates that this revolver may have been one of those issued to the Virginia Militia which were then sold as new guns on the civilian market, however, facts do not support this theory. The majority of those revolvers known today were nickel finished as new guns whereas this one shows no evidence of ever having been nickel plated. Mr. Kopec also states that the grip is an old contemporary orig equipment replacement which is in fact not the case as, under bright light, the four digits of the matching SN are mostly visible. PROVENANCE: Barnes Family Collection. CONDITION: Good, all matching. Bbl retains about 30% strong orig blue around ejector housing area with the balance a mottled silver/blue patina with scattered spots of pitting; frame is a dark blue/brown patina with lightened areas on the left side; cyl is a blue/brown patina on the outer diameter with plummy blue in the flutes; trigger guard & back strap are a mottled blue/gray patina with scattered pinprick pitting on the back strap; ejector housing retains strong blue in the gullets and a blue/gray patina on the outer radius. Grip has chipped toes with battering on the bottom edges and retains a very dark hand worn patina showing very heavy wear. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore with good shine & scattered pitting. 4-47619 JR201