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Ainsworth Sub-Inspected U.S. Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Revolver with Kopec Letter

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Revolvers Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Ainsworth Sub-Inspected U.S. Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Revolver with Kopec Letter
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Ainsworth Sub-Inspected U.S. Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Revolver with Kopec Letter

This is an example of a U.S. Ainsworth inspected Pre-Custer Battle Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Model revolver that was manufactured in 1874. This Government Contract Single Action was inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Orville W. Ainsworth and has his "A" sub-inspection mark stamped on major components. The revolver has the distinctive early production features which include the First Style two-line, two-patent date markings on the left side of the frame followed by "U.S.", one-line script barrel address and "bullseye" ejector rod head. The hammer spur has elongated bordered knurling. The small "A" Ainsworth sub-inspection mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel, on the trigger guard directly below the serial number, on the top of the back strap and on the side of the cylinder. A small "P" proofmark is stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. The matching serial number is marked on the barrel, ejector rod housing, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The assembly number "240" is stamped on the loading gate. This revolvers serial number is listed with a number of Single Action Army serial numbers of revolvers that have the serial numbered ejector rod housing on page 18 of Kopec's "Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers a Continuing Study". The revolver is fitted with a replacement, one-piece smooth walnut grip with a spurious boxed cartouche on the lower left side. These early revolvers were primarily issued to the ten cavalry regiments on the frontier, including the 7th Cavalry, and were used throughout the Indian Wars. After 1895, nearly all of the surviving revolvers were recalled and overhauled to "Artillery" configuration and subsequently issued during the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection. The accompanying Kopec letter states that this revolver falls between the Cavalry revolver #4449 and Artillery revolver #4469 in his database. The revolver was originated from within Lot 4 (1,000 revolvers) released to the Government Inspector at the Colt factory on January 15, 1874. The letter also cites three Cavalry revolvers, numbers 4330, 4865 and 4487 that were delivered to the 2nd Cavalry from the Rock Island Arsenal on February 1, 1874. After examining the revolver, Kopec concluded that the forcing cone clearly shows recent work. The barrel appears narrow near the end of the ejector tube, so that the tube does not fit snugly to the barrel, the grip appears to be a replacement incorrectly numbered on the back strap channel and the remnant of the cartouche on the left grip is spurious. He also notes that all the markings appear correct and there is no indication of any re-numbering, and the barrel address shows the correct die breaks for this period.

Manufacture: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
BBL: 7 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 LC
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 4450

Very good as professionally refurbished (barrel stretched). The metal surfaces have a smooth mottled gray and brown patina with the forward portion of the barrel having artificial patina. There is some minor pitting on the edge of the frame around the cylinder. The grip is also very good with some wear on the lower edges, and a few light dings and minor handling marks. The markings are clear. The action is excellent.