4196

RARE & FINE, EARLY 1874 AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
RARE & FINE, EARLY 1874 AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT
SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER W/ NUMBERED EJECTOR HOUSING. Cal. 45. S# 3581. Bbl. 7.5" standard configuration bbl. w/ correct one line Hartford address w/ slanted letters & daggers, 2 line patents & “U.S.” on left side of frame. This rare all matching example of 1874 manufactured Colt Cavalry revolver was possibly issued to 4th US Cavalry as known serial numbers in Kopec & Fenn 1994 updated text 3398-3653 only contain 4th Cav guns. Matching S# 3581 is found on every part usually numbered including ejector housing which is only numbered sporadically in this earliest range of US cavalry revolvers w/ only 10 examples noted in Kopec & Fenn's 1992 text “Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers”. Updated 1994 survey identified 29 serial numbered ejector housings ranging from S# 2885-4929, this revolver is in both surveys. Gun retains much of its original finish w/ crisp action & bright crisp bore. Orville W. Ainsworth "A" inspector marks are found on backstrap, left buttstock, cylinder, trigger guard & bbl. along w/ “P” proof. “OWA” cartouche found on left grip. This is a beautiful survivor w/ a great overall aesthetics from muzzle to butt of early pre-Custer era Ainsworth Single Action Cavalry revolver. The 4th US Cavalry was commanded by Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie from 1870 at various posts in Texas frontier fighting Comanche, Kiowa & Apaches in several notable battles & skirmishes. The 4th cavalry crossed the Rio Grande River in the spring of 1873 into Mexico; John Wayne starred in the acclaimed 1950 movie “Rio Grande” emulating Col. Mackenzie in fictionalized role. When these revolvers were issued in 1874, the 4th Cavalry was involved w/ the brunt of Sioux & Comanche actions in the Red River war & these weapons saw favorable service. CONDITION: very good-fine overall. All matching. All markings crisp & discernible. Bbl. & ejector housing retain over 10% bright original blue finish in protected areas w/ balance plum/gray. Frame, trigger guard & backstrap retains traces of finish. Cyl. is overall mottled plum/gray patina. Grips are sound & well fit w/ moderate edge wear, “A” is crisp on bottom of left grip, Ainsworth cartouche is visible in outline only, overall hand worn patina. Mechanically fine w/ bright well defined rifled bore. (01-19093/JS). ANTIQUE. $8,000-12,000.