MARTIALLY MARKED ALTERED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

MARTIALLY MARKED ALTERED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 8462. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with bbl reduced to 5″ with thick replacement front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs at each end. Top strap has had the sight channel widened, apparently to accommodate this thicker sight. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and “U.S.”. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the 4 digit SN “8842” in the backstrap channel. SN was observed on the side of bbl, partially covered by ejector rod housing, on the frame, trigger guard, buttstrap and cyl. Bbl, trigger guard, top of backstrap and cyl have small “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspector initials. Grip appears to have had the Ainsworth cartouche either worn away or removed. It has 1st type ejector rod housing that has been altered by having the the tip slotted like the later 3rd type. According to Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers..A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, this revolver originated in lot 8 and was shipped on March 14, 1874 in a shipment of 1,000 same type revolvers which were later issued to the 5th, 8th and 9th U.S. Calvary Regiments. The 5th and 9th Cavalry Regiments were primarily in west Texas with the 8th Cavalry at Ft. Union New Mexico. All were involved in fighting the hostile Indians and bandits throughout the Southwest. Accompanied by a Springfield Research Service letter which states that revolver SN 8842, which grip is found on this revolver, was reported as being issued to Company C 8th Cavalry and was reported stolen June 17, 1876, only 8 days prior to the Custer fight at the Little Big Horn. Also accompanied by an unsigned 2-page letter from John Kopec verifying most of the above information. Mr. Kopec notes that at that time the firing pin had been either modified or replaced. It currently has a correct conical shaped firing pin with evidence of the firing pin retainer having been removed and replaced. He also notes that the firing pin hole in the back of the hammer spur had been plugged, which is now open. Also accompanying are 7 pages, copies of a military board of inquiry convened at Ft. Brown Texas on July 31, 1876 to determine responsibility for the loss of the aforementioned 20 revolvers stolen from Company C 8th Cavalry in June 1876. Additionally accompanying is a biography of George W. Chilson, a Civil War veteran who rose through the ranks during the Civil War, re-enlisted after the War and eventually was promoted to Captain and stationed at Ft. Brown Texas. He was apparently responsible for the accountability of the 20 revolvers. PROVENANCE: Wes Adams Estate Collection. CONDITION: About good, all matching except grip, as noted. No orig finish remains, being mostly a cleaned gray metal patina with fine surface etching and the remnants of an old re-blue on the bbl and cyl; cyl has scattered fine pitting; grip has a repaired right toe, otherwise it is sound, showing heavy wear and a hand worn patina; hammer is not solid in safety or half-cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine; strong bore with fine pitting. 4-44715 JR264 (4,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	2170	$4,887.50	MARTIALLY MARKED ALTERED COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 8462. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with bbl reduced to 5″ with thick replacement front sight and 1-line script letter address with serifs at each end. Top strap has had the sight channel widened, apparently to accommodate this thicker sight. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and “U.S.”. Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has the 4 digit SN “8842” in the backstrap channel. SN was observed on the side of bbl, partially covered by ejector rod housing, on the frame, trigger guard, buttstrap and cyl. Bbl, trigger guard, top of backstrap and cyl have small “A” (Orville W. Ainsworth) inspector initials. Grip appears to have had the Ainsworth cartouche either worn away or removed. It has 1st type ejector rod housing that has been altered by having the the tip slotted like the later 3rd type. According to Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers..A Continuing Study, Kopec & Fenn, this revolver originated in lot 8 and was shipped on March 14, 1874 in a shipment of 1,000 same type revolvers which were later issued to the 5th, 8th and 9th U.S. Calvary Regiments. The 5th and 9th Cavalry Regiments were primarily in west Texas with the 8th Cavalry at Ft. Union New Mexico. All were involved in fighting the hostile Indians and bandits throughout the Southwest. Accompanied by a Springfield Research Service letter which states that revolver SN 8842, which grip is found on this revolver, was reported as being issued to Company C 8th Cavalry and was reported stolen June 17, 1876, only 8 days prior to the Custer fight at the Little Big Horn. Also accompanied by an unsigned 2-page letter from John Kopec verifying most of the above information. Mr. Kopec notes that at that time the firing pin had been either modified or replaced. It currently has a correct conical shaped firing pin with evidence of the firing pin retainer having been removed and replaced. He also notes that the firing pin hole in the back of the hammer spur had been plugged, which is now open. Also accompanying are 7 pages, copies of a military board of inquiry convened at Ft. Brown Texas on July 31, 1876 to determine responsibility for the loss of the aforementioned 20 revolvers stolen from Company C 8th Cavalry in June 1876. Additionally accompanying is a biography of George W. Chilson, a Civil War veteran who rose through the ranks during the Civil War, re-enlisted after the War and eventually was promoted to Captain and stationed at Ft. Brown Texas. He was apparently responsible for the accountability of the 20 revolvers. PROVENANCE: Wes Adams Estate Collection. CONDITION: About good, all matching except grip, as noted. No orig finish remains, being mostly a cleaned gray metal patina with fine surface etching and the remnants of an old re-blue on the bbl and cyl; cyl has scattered fine pitting; grip has a repaired right toe, otherwise it is sound, showing heavy wear and a hand worn patina; hammer is not solid in safety or half-cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine; strong bore with fine pitting. 4-44715 JR264 (4,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}