2013

SCARCE AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH NUMBERED EJECTOR HOUSING.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
SCARCE AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH NUMBERED EJECTOR HOUSING.
SN 3504. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line script address with serifs at each end. Left side of frame has 2-line, 2-patent dates and "U.S.". Mounted with what is probably a field replacement 1-pc walnut grip that has the SN "3604" in the backstrap channel and a tiny "L.D." on right side. These initials apparently are those of sub-inspector Lewis Draper who worked only a short period of time in 1876, which indicates that since this revolver was manufactured in 1874, the grip could not have been replaced any earlier than 1876. The SN in backstrap channel is in pencil instead of India ink indicating that it was added later. Various parts, including bbl, trigger guard, cylinder & backstrap have the tiny inspector initial "A" (Orville W. Ainsworth). Base pin is correct type with dimpled ends and the ejector housing is first type with bull's eye ejector rod head and has the extremely rare feature of matching SN in the left gullet at the frame. Page 270 of A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, Graham, Kopec & Moore, as of that writing (1976), lists only ten such numbered ejector housings, now eleven, including this one. Obviously there may be others. Cylinder is of the earliest type with small stop notches and tiny approaches. Buttstrap appears to have had the toe beveled slightly. It is well documented that the vast majority of these early Cavalry Colts were issued to front-line units and saw continuous hard us on the frontier. They are rarely found with high orig finish and the majority of them were recalled in the 1890s and early 20th century where they were converted to artillery configuration. That this revolver remains in full Cavalry configuration attests to the theory that it was probably re-issued to a militia unit where it remained until sold as surplus. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains about 60% strong orig blue with the majority of the losses on left side that appears to be from long term storage in a holster and is now a medium brown patina; frame retains case colors in sheltered areas being mostly a dark gray patina; hammer retains very bright case colors on sides & rear edge with top edge turned dark; cylinder retains bright blue in the flutes, somewhat dull on outer diameter and showing wear on the front & rear edges; trigger guard & backstrap retain strong, bright blue in sheltered areas with candy striping mixed with blue on front & back straps; ejector housing retains about 92-93% strong orig blue. Grip has chipped toes, otherwise is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and shows a handworn patina. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 4-48808 JR363