FINE AINSWORTH INSPECTED MARTIALLY MARKED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

FINE AINSWORTH INSPECTED MARTIALLY MARKED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 4115. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script address. Bottom of bbl has the SN under ejector rod housing and a small “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspector initial just above base pin. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates with a small “U.S.”. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the SN in the back strap channel. Ejector rod housing is 1st type with bull’s eye ejector rod head and has the very rare feature of having the SN in the bottom gullet. SN was also observed on the outer diameter of the cylinder. In addition to the bbl, small “A” inspector initials were inspector initials were observed on the trigger guard, top of back strap & cylinder. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Hammer is also orig type and probably orig to this gun with the straight tapered firing pin and has had the firing pin retainer pin staked in place. Accompanied by a 2-page letter from noted Colt author & historian, John Kopec, wherein he authenticates this revolver, as found. According to Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers…A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, about 1,009 revolvers from the serial range 3421 to 4500 were issued to the 2nd Cavalry and others were issued to the 4th Cavalry. Both of these cavalry regiments were storied units with the 2nd re-formed after the Civil War and the 4th reorganized and both were initially sent to Texas to quell Indian uprisings & raids. The 2nd Cavalry, in the early 1870s, was stationed in Wyoming and the Northern Rocky Mountains and participated with Gen. Crook in the Black Hills expedition in 1876. They fought in the Battle of the Rosebud and the follow up to the Custer fight at the Little Big Horn. Both units were well commanded and fought numerous large & small engagements with the Comanche, Kiowas & Apaches in the Southwest with the 2nd having numerous fights with the Northern Plains Indians including the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho & Blackfeet. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including bbl, ejector rod housing, cyl & grip. Bbl retains 35-40% strong orig blue, mostly in sheltered areas with the balance flaked & worn to a dark patina with some fine pitting on right side of muzzle. Ejector rod housing retains about 60% orig blue, strong in bottom gullet, thin in top gullet and a mottled silver/brown patina on outer radius. Frame retains case colors in front gullets and traces in sheltered areas being mostly faded to gray with some light pitting on right side and top strap. Hammer retains 50-60% faded case colors. Cylinder retains plummy brown patina in the flutes being a silver/brown patina on outer diameter with a small series of nicks on one land between the flutes. Trigger guard & back strap retain traces of blue in sheltered areas being mostly a mottled silver/brown patina. Grip is sound with a slightly chipped right toe and retains a fine hand worn patina. Cartouche on left side of grip has been removed or obliterated, possibly indicating that this revolver may have, at one time, been lost or stolen from the military. Hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-41999 JR176 (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

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	$11,500.00	FINE AINSWORTH INSPECTED MARTIALLY MARKED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 4115. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue & color case hardened with 7-1/2″ bbl, full front sight and 1-line script address. Bottom of bbl has the SN under ejector rod housing and a small “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspector initial just above base pin. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates with a small “U.S.”. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the SN in the back strap channel. Ejector rod housing is 1st type with bull’s eye ejector rod head and has the very rare feature of having the SN in the bottom gullet. SN was also observed on the outer diameter of the cylinder. In addition to the bbl, small “A” inspector initials were inspector initials were observed on the trigger guard, top of back strap & cylinder. Base pin is orig type with dimpled ends. Hammer is also orig type and probably orig to this gun with the straight tapered firing pin and has had the firing pin retainer pin staked in place. Accompanied by a 2-page letter from noted Colt author & historian, John Kopec, wherein he authenticates this revolver, as found. According to Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers…A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, about 1,009 revolvers from the serial range 3421 to 4500 were issued to the 2nd Cavalry and others were issued to the 4th Cavalry. Both of these cavalry regiments were storied units with the 2nd re-formed after the Civil War and the 4th reorganized and both were initially sent to Texas to quell Indian uprisings & raids. The 2nd Cavalry, in the early 1870s, was stationed in Wyoming and the Northern Rocky Mountains and participated with Gen. Crook in the Black Hills expedition in 1876. They fought in the Battle of the Rosebud and the follow up to the Custer fight at the Little Big Horn. Both units were well commanded and fought numerous large & small engagements with the Comanche, Kiowas & Apaches in the Southwest with the 2nd having numerous fights with the Northern Plains Indians including the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho & Blackfeet. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including bbl, ejector rod housing, cyl & grip. Bbl retains 35-40% strong orig blue, mostly in sheltered areas with the balance flaked & worn to a dark patina with some fine pitting on right side of muzzle. Ejector rod housing retains about 60% orig blue, strong in bottom gullet, thin in top gullet and a mottled silver/brown patina on outer radius. Frame retains case colors in front gullets and traces in sheltered areas being mostly faded to gray with some light pitting on right side and top strap. Hammer retains 50-60% faded case colors. Cylinder retains plummy brown patina in the flutes being a silver/brown patina on outer diameter with a small series of nicks on one land between the flutes. Trigger guard & back strap retain traces of blue in sheltered areas being mostly a mottled silver/brown patina. Grip is sound with a slightly chipped right toe and retains a fine hand worn patina. Cartouche on left side of grip has been removed or obliterated, possibly indicating that this revolver may have, at one time, been lost or stolen from the military. Hammer is not solid in safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-41999 JR176 (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 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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