AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 3897. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ bbl, slightly thinned front sight and 1-line script letter address with brackets. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Ejector rod housing is 1st type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has a faint but visible “OWA” (Orville w. Ainsworth) cartouche on left side. Back strap channel is dark & oil stained, obliterating any numbers. Small “A” inspector initials were observed on trigger guard, top of back strap, bottom of bbl, cyl and bottom left edge of grip. SN was observed in usual places on bottom of frame, trigger guard & butt strap. It is also found on bottom of bbl, under ejector rod housing and outer diameter of cylinder. There are traces of nickel finish on inside radius of ejector rod housing which may indicate that this revolver could have been a buy-back or an Indian Scout issue side arm. This revolver is from the fourth lot of cavalry revolvers which arrived at Springfield Armory Jan. 24, 1874 and shipped Jan. 31, 1874 to Rock Island Arsenal with designation for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The 2nd Cavalry began as the 2nd Mounted Dragoons in 1836, fought in the Seminole War 1836-1842; the war with Mexico 1846-1847; the Mormon Campaign; the Indian Wars in Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska & Utah 1849-1860; they were engaged throughout the Civil War 1861-1864; and on March 3, 1861 had their name changed from 2nd Dragoons to 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment. They returned to the Indian War from 1866-1883 in Wyoming, Colorado, Dakota Territory, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana & Idaho where they were engaged in numerous very famous battles including the Fetterman Massacre, Slim Buttes, the Sioux Expedition, the fight at Poplar Creek, the Musselshell Fight and the fight at Milk River. Their history includes numerous awards, commendations and several Medals of Honor. They fought in the Spanish American War in Cuba in 1898; the Philippines in 1905, the Ute Uprising in 1907 and returned to the Philippines to help put down the Philippine insurrection of 1910-1912. They fought in WWI in 1918 and WWII 1944-1945, beginning in Normandy. The unit survives today as the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. That this Cavalry revolver survived intact is most unusual as the majority of the early Cavalry revolvers were returned to either Colt or the Springfield Armory to be modified into artillery models with 5-1/2″ bbls. The fact that this revolver has retained its orig configuration can mean only that it was either stolen or lost while on active duty or possibly subsequently issued to a militia unit. CONDITION: Good to very good. Only traces of orig finish remain under ejector rod housing with the balance of revolver cleaned gray metal with fine pitting overall. Grip shows heavy wear with chipped toes and a dark oil stain patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with light to moderate pitting. 4-40639 JR99 (5,000-10,000)

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
	2169	$6,900.00	AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 3897. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ bbl, slightly thinned front sight and 1-line script letter address with brackets. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Ejector rod housing is 1st type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has a faint but visible “OWA” (Orville w. Ainsworth) cartouche on left side. Back strap channel is dark & oil stained, obliterating any numbers. Small “A” inspector initials were observed on trigger guard, top of back strap, bottom of bbl, cyl and bottom left edge of grip. SN was observed in usual places on bottom of frame, trigger guard & butt strap. It is also found on bottom of bbl, under ejector rod housing and outer diameter of cylinder. There are traces of nickel finish on inside radius of ejector rod housing which may indicate that this revolver could have been a buy-back or an Indian Scout issue side arm. This revolver is from the fourth lot of cavalry revolvers which arrived at Springfield Armory Jan. 24, 1874 and shipped Jan. 31, 1874 to Rock Island Arsenal with designation for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The 2nd Cavalry began as the 2nd Mounted Dragoons in 1836, fought in the Seminole War 1836-1842; the war with Mexico 1846-1847; the Mormon Campaign; the Indian Wars in Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska & Utah 1849-1860; they were engaged throughout the Civil War 1861-1864; and on March 3, 1861 had their name changed from 2nd Dragoons to 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment. They returned to the Indian War from 1866-1883 in Wyoming, Colorado, Dakota Territory, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana & Idaho where they were engaged in numerous very famous battles including the Fetterman Massacre, Slim Buttes, the Sioux Expedition, the fight at Poplar Creek, the Musselshell Fight and the fight at Milk River. Their history includes numerous awards, commendations and several Medals of Honor. They fought in the Spanish American War in Cuba in 1898; the Philippines in 1905, the Ute Uprising in 1907 and returned to the Philippines to help put down the Philippine insurrection of 1910-1912. They fought in WWI in 1918 and WWII 1944-1945, beginning in Normandy. The unit survives today as the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. That this Cavalry revolver survived intact is most unusual as the majority of the early Cavalry revolvers were returned to either Colt or the Springfield Armory to be modified into artillery models with 5-1/2″ bbls. The fact that this revolver has retained its orig configuration can mean only that it was either stolen or lost while on active duty or possibly subsequently issued to a militia unit. CONDITION: Good to very good. Only traces of orig finish remain under ejector rod housing with the balance of revolver cleaned gray metal with fine pitting overall. Grip shows heavy wear with chipped toes and a dark oil stain patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with light to moderate pitting. 4-40639 JR99 (5,000-10,000) 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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