4230

AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT US CAVALRY MODEL SAA

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,500.00 USD Estimated At:9,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT US CAVALRY MODEL SAA
REVOLVER. Cal. 45. S# 6516. "New information pertaining to this Colt SAA revolver S# 6516 is identified to New York Militia during the Spanish American War". Cavalry revolvers below 7,000 S# are generally considered to be in the range of revolvers used by Custer's troops. Butt is stamped w/ unit marking "C-15". Bbl. 7 1/2" w/ blade front sight. 6 Shot fluted cyl. Bullseye ejector head. Frame, bbl., grip straps & cyl. have matching numbers. Trigger guard & cyl. are stamped "A" referring to Orville W. Ainsworth, principle ordnance inspector October 1873-November 1874. Left side of frame is stamped "US". Hammer slot has inspectors initial "C". Loading gate is numbered "999". Bottom of bbl. is marked "P". Side of cyl. has "A" inspection mark. 1 Piece walnut grip. 1874 Mfg. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: binder of information pertaining to this revolver including Colt factory letter, John Kopec letter of authentication, & Dan Sadler letter. Colt factory letter providing the following information: "Serial Number: 6516 / Caliber: .45/c / Barrel Length: Not Listed / Finished: Blue / Type of Stocks: Not Listed / Delivered to: U. S. Government Inspector / Address: Located in the Colt plant. / Date of Shipment: October 4, 1895 / Number of Same Type Guns in Shipment: 200 / Remarks: The original records pertaining to this revolver were lost or destroyed many years ago. However, the records do indicate the return of this revolver for refurbishing and subsequent reshipment as noted above. The refurbishing consisted of replacement of worn parts, exterior refinished and reassembly. The barrels on these revolvers were not shortened." John Kopec letter stating the following information "It is also very close in proximity to one of the Custer Battle turn-in revolver saw service during the Indian Wars on the Plains... During its service with the New York Militia, a butt-strap marking C-15" was applied. These markings "C-15" could only stand for "Troop C" with rack number "15". There were 104 revolver which had been issued to Troop C during F. Y. 1896.... There is a streak of brown coloring on the left frame which could have been the result of blood or acid contact this surface area." The Dan Sadler article "U.S. Cavalry Revolver Serial # 6516 in service in the Spanish/American War" gives the history of this revolver & the history of New York Militia Troop C during the Spanish American War. CONDITION: bbl., cylinder, grip straps & ejector housing are largely faded to gray showing scattered light corrosion & having sm. amounts of blue remaining in protected areas only. Frame retains traces of case colors in protected areas fading to a silvery gray patina & showing spotted corrosion. Grips are slightly undersized showing heavy wear w/ large dents & chips. No grip markings remain. Action is sound and in time. Bore is dark with pitting and largely intact rifling. (01-21607/DS). ANTIQUE. $9,000-12,000.