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7th Cav. Ainsworth Colt Cavalry SAA Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
7th Cav. Ainsworth Colt Cavalry SAA Revolver
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA 92606
Prime 7th Cavalry Range Ainsworth Inspected Colt Cavalry Single Action Army Revolver, #5555, .45 Colt cal., 7-1/2'' barrel with correct early single line barrel address, blue and case colored finish, with one-piece matching walnut grips. U.S. markings to left side of frame, two-line/two date patent markings, beveled cylinder front, earliest mainspring without roller channel, correct 2nd type sear and bolt spring; frame and loading gate with three-digit (599) assembly numbers; barrel numbered 5555 beneath ejector rod, as is cylinder behind flutes; rear grip channel pencil marked 5555. Triggerguard and cylinder with Ainsworth ''A'' inspection mark. In Kopec's book ''Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers, A Continuing Study'', Chapter 27, titled Colt Revolvers for the 7th Cavalry, Table II-VIII (page 252), under 'Prime Serial Number Range', lists 168 pistols between serial numbers 5505-6516 issued to Co. B and Co. I, Sept. 3, 1874. Condition is very good. Barrel and cylinder retain light traces of blue in protected areas near front sight, beneath ejector rod, and area just forward of frame. Cylinder with moderately toned blue in flutes and thin toned blue to balance showing mostly as a silvery gray. Frame retains faint but somewhat vivid traces of case colors near both sides of hammer screw and in forward protected areas. Original early type hammer additionally shows traces of original case colored hues. Straps show little original finish and light mellow toning. Grips with thinning and smoothing and fractional shrinkage, with losses to front left toe and right heel. Screws are fair with light to heavy deformation of slots, the worst being the arbor set screw and the top right backstrap screw. Original round ejector rod head has been replaced with later contoured type. Action functions as designed, bore is near fine. A good honest early Ainsworth inspected Colt Single Action revolver with possible 7th Cavalry attribution. Est.: $8,000-$12,000. (Antique)