CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 5095. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ bbl, thinned front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs. Left side of frame has had the “US” and top patent date removed. Grip is 1-pc walnut orig equipment but probably not orig to this gun. No cartouches are visible nor are there any inspector initials. Trigger guard & cyl have tiny “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspector initials but the inspector initial that should be on the bottom of the barrel is worn away as is the one from the backstrap. SN was observed in the usual places on the bottom of frame, trigger guard & buttstrap and also on bottom of bbl under ejector rod housing and on the cyl. Ejector rod housing is 1st type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. The obliterating of the “US” on the frame and the adjacent patent dates are typical of Indian captured Colts. There are several known Indian captured Colts which were defaced in the same manner. In addition this revolver, at one time was, most unusually, nickel plated. While there are no known contracts for nickel plated martial single actions, even for Indian scouts, there are two recorded Colts which were ordered from Springfield with nickel plating for officers in the field. Since there were at least two of these nickel plated cavalry Colts who’s to say that there weren’t more. Accompanied by a 2-page letter from renowned Colt collector, historian & author, John Kopec, wherein he states that this revolver originated within lot 5 from which lot the 7th Cavalry was issued Colt revolvers just before they departed on the Black Hills Expedition in July 1874. He cites three other examples of cavalry Colts in the 5,000 serial range, which were “presumptive” Custer associated revolvers, whose frames were defaced in a very similar manner, two of which also had the top line of patent dates similarly removed. Mr. Kopec further speculates, when discussing the two known requests for nickel plated revolvers from Springfield Armory, that this revolver was nickel plated when still in near new condition as there does not appear to have been any buffing prior to plating and he states that the plating was in place when frame was defaced. CONDITION: About very good, all matching except grip, as noted. Bbl retains about 60% orig nickel, strong on right side and under ejector housing; frame & trigger guard retain traces of nickel in sheltered areas and overall, along with the backstrap, retain a gray metal patina; cyl retains 35-40% nickel with balance a matching patina and ejector housing retains about 65% nickel. Grip has chipped toes and shows heavy edge wear with nicks, dings & scratches and retains a hand worn patina. Hammer drags a little in the slot, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-45692 JR225 (5,000-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1379	$6,900.00	CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 5095. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ bbl, thinned front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs. Left side of frame has had the “US” and top patent date removed. Grip is 1-pc walnut orig equipment but probably not orig to this gun. No cartouches are visible nor are there any inspector initials. Trigger guard & cyl have tiny “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspector initials but the inspector initial that should be on the bottom of the barrel is worn away as is the one from the backstrap. SN was observed in the usual places on the bottom of frame, trigger guard & buttstrap and also on bottom of bbl under ejector rod housing and on the cyl. Ejector rod housing is 1st type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. The obliterating of the “US” on the frame and the adjacent patent dates are typical of Indian captured Colts. There are several known Indian captured Colts which were defaced in the same manner. In addition this revolver, at one time was, most unusually, nickel plated. While there are no known contracts for nickel plated martial single actions, even for Indian scouts, there are two recorded Colts which were ordered from Springfield with nickel plating for officers in the field. Since there were at least two of these nickel plated cavalry Colts who’s to say that there weren’t more. Accompanied by a 2-page letter from renowned Colt collector, historian & author, John Kopec, wherein he states that this revolver originated within lot 5 from which lot the 7th Cavalry was issued Colt revolvers just before they departed on the Black Hills Expedition in July 1874. He cites three other examples of cavalry Colts in the 5,000 serial range, which were “presumptive” Custer associated revolvers, whose frames were defaced in a very similar manner, two of which also had the top line of patent dates similarly removed. Mr. Kopec further speculates, when discussing the two known requests for nickel plated revolvers from Springfield Armory, that this revolver was nickel plated when still in near new condition as there does not appear to have been any buffing prior to plating and he states that the plating was in place when frame was defaced. CONDITION: About very good, all matching except grip, as noted. Bbl retains about 60% orig nickel, strong on right side and under ejector housing; frame & trigger guard retain traces of nickel in sheltered areas and overall, along with the backstrap, retain a gray metal patina; cyl retains 35-40% nickel with balance a matching patina and ejector housing retains about 65% nickel. Grip has chipped toes and shows heavy edge wear with nicks, dings & scratches and retains a hand worn patina. Hammer drags a little in the slot, otherwise mechanics are fine, strong bore with moderate pitting. 4-45692 JR225 (5,000-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2012 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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