FINE NICKELED BUY-BACK AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

FINE NICKELED BUY-BACK AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 12370. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script letter address. Bottom of bbl, under ejector rod housing has the last four digits of SN. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip with the “2” and “3” of the SN visible in the back strap channel. Left side of grip has the outline of the “OWA” (Orville W. Ainsworth) cartouche. SN is found in usual places on bottom of frame, trigger guard & butt strap with last four digits on bottom of bbl and outer diameter of cylinder. Tiny “A” inspector initials were observed on the trigger guard, back strap, cyl and bottom of bbl just above the base pin. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Ejector rod housing is first type with bull’s eye ejector rod head and a broken ejector rod spring. This revolver is listed on p. 161 of Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, as an Ainsworth nickel plated revolver and most certainly is one of the “buy-back” revolvers that Colt repurchased in the 1870s and 1880s. According to the referenced publication 769 of those buy-backs were from the State of Virginia which were sold on the open market in the serial range 11,700-14,300. This revolver differs slightly from other buy-backs in that it retains its orig inspected walnut grip and neither the web of the trigger guard or shoulder of the trigger guard are marked with the caliber. The vast majority of all of the identified buy-back revolvers have usually seen hard service with major losses of nickel finish. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains most of its strong orig nickel finish with a small cleaned spot on bottom of bbl and a line around the bbl behind the front sight. Back strap has a worn spot toward the top that is a brown patina. Cyl retains 88-90% strong orig nickel with most of losses in one flute and on one land adjacent to that flute with loss areas a dark patina. Cyl also has a light drag line and holster wear around rear edge. Balance of revolver including bbl, ejector rod housing, ejector rod head, frame, hammer, trigger guard, front strap, base pin & screws retain most of their strong orig nickel, turning slightly milky. Grip shows heavy wear with rounded edges and a chip in the right edge with usual handling & use marks and retains a smooth hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with scatterd light pitting. This may be one of the finest nickeled “buy-backs” to come to market in many years. 4-40908 JR247 (30,000-50,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

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
	2166	$0.00	FINE NICKELED BUY-BACK AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 12370. Cal. 45 Colt. Nickel finish with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script letter address. Bottom of bbl, under ejector rod housing has the last four digits of SN. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip with the “2” and “3” of the SN visible in the back strap channel. Left side of grip has the outline of the “OWA” (Orville W. Ainsworth) cartouche. SN is found in usual places on bottom of frame, trigger guard & butt strap with last four digits on bottom of bbl and outer diameter of cylinder. Tiny “A” inspector initials were observed on the trigger guard, back strap, cyl and bottom of bbl just above the base pin. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Ejector rod housing is first type with bull’s eye ejector rod head and a broken ejector rod spring. This revolver is listed on p. 161 of Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, as an Ainsworth nickel plated revolver and most certainly is one of the “buy-back” revolvers that Colt repurchased in the 1870s and 1880s. According to the referenced publication 769 of those buy-backs were from the State of Virginia which were sold on the open market in the serial range 11,700-14,300. This revolver differs slightly from other buy-backs in that it retains its orig inspected walnut grip and neither the web of the trigger guard or shoulder of the trigger guard are marked with the caliber. The vast majority of all of the identified buy-back revolvers have usually seen hard service with major losses of nickel finish. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains most of its strong orig nickel finish with a small cleaned spot on bottom of bbl and a line around the bbl behind the front sight. Back strap has a worn spot toward the top that is a brown patina. Cyl retains 88-90% strong orig nickel with most of losses in one flute and on one land adjacent to that flute with loss areas a dark patina. Cyl also has a light drag line and holster wear around rear edge. Balance of revolver including bbl, ejector rod housing, ejector rod head, frame, hammer, trigger guard, front strap, base pin & screws retain most of their strong orig nickel, turning slightly milky. Grip shows heavy wear with rounded edges and a chip in the right edge with usual handling & use marks and retains a smooth hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with scatterd light pitting. This may be one of the finest nickeled “buy-backs” to come to market in many years. 4-40908 JR247 (30,000-50,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 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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