2029

SCARCE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
SCARCE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.
SN 13416. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 7-1/2" bbl, full front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small "U.S.". Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip with last four digits of matching SN in back strap channel. Left side of the grip has the faint outline of the orig "OWA" (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspector cartouche. Most of the parts are also stamped with a tiny "A" by Mr. Ainsworth. Ejector housing is first type with bull's eye ejector rod head and base pin is first type with dimpled ends. This revolver was part of about 2,000 similar revolvers issued to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1874. Virginia, at that time, being in dire need of funds, sold all 2,000+ revolvers to a major New York distributor, Herman Boker & Co., who had a large number of them nickel plated and resold them on the commercial market. Accompanied by a 2-page letter from renowned historian & author, John Kopec, wherein he relates most of the above information. This revolver is listed by SN on p. 161 of the book Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers, A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, as one of the known Ainsworth nickel plated revolvers. CONDITION: Good, all matching including bbl, cyl & grip. Bbl retains 30-40% nickel, mostly under & around ejector housing with balance cleaned to a gray metal patina with scattered fine pitting; frame retains about 30% orig nickel, mostly on right side with balance cleaned to a gray metal patina; trigger guard retains about 50% nickel with front strap & trigger bow gray metal patina; back strap & butt strap retain about 80% strong nickel with a few light scratches; cyl retains 40-50% orig nickel, strong in the flutes and mixed with gray metal patina on outer diameter; ejector housing retains about 75% nickel. Grip has a chipped left toe, shows heavy wear and retains a hand worn patina. Half-cock notch is broken, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong bore with light to moderate pitting. 4-47863 JR64