SCARCE AINSWORTH INSPECTED CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SCARCE AINSWORTH INSPECTED CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 6978. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ bbl, slightly thinned front sight and 1-line “script” address with serifs. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Mounted with its orig 1-pc walnut grip with the SN in back strap channel. Both sides of grip are hand carved “KID” in large black letters, and left side has an inlaid silver cross that has raised embossed letters “CHIEF”. SN was observed on frame, trigger guard, butt strap, bbl, cyl and in back strap channel of grip. Ejector rod housing is 1st type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Accompanied by a letter signed by Peter Koch of Twin Rivers, Wisconsin, dated 2-11-02, wherein he relates meeting a group of Native Americans from Manitoba, Canada who were looking for work. He apparently hired them and traded guns with them, one of which was this revolver. He states that these Indians were from a reservation in Canada and were somehow related to the Sioux and Sitting Bull. Mr. Koch states that when he disassembled the revolver he found a piece of paper inside the grip which explains the meaning of the “KID” carving and “CHIEF” cross on the grip. He further states that the name of the Indian who sold him this revolver was named “Melvin Longhair”. Also accompanying is the aforementioned slip of paper which appears to be on old yellowed tablet paper about 8-1/2″ long x 3/4″ wide, upon which is written in pencil, “Personal revolver of Harold J Smith ‘Kid’ youngest member of the survey crew working or a mapping the dacotea (sic) for statehood #6978 Colt 1874 45 caliber 6 shot”. Additionally accompanying is a genealogical research letter over the signature of James W. Petty of Salt Lake City, Utah, dated 8-22-2001, wherein Mr. Petty states that he was unable to find any listing for Harold J. Smith as serving in the military or any other information under that name. He reports that the census of 1880 of Dakota Territory disclosed an H.J. Smith living in Brookings County, Dakota in the town Volga. He was 27 years old working as a clerk in the Railroad Depot and lists himself as having been born in Wisconsin and his parents born in Rhode Island. A further search of the 1870 census for Wisconsin disclosed the family of Daniel & Julia Smith who were born in Rhode Island with several children, one of whom, Henry, age 16, is listed as having been born in Wisconsin. No additional information regarding Mr. Smith was disclosed during this search. It appears that there was a strong statehood movement in Dakota Territory in the early 1880s and in 1885 the citizens overwhelming approved the new state constitution. In 1889 the Congress approved and on Feb. 22nd President Cleveland signed the bill creating the States of North & South Dakota, Montana & Washington. In light of the above dates it is logical to assume that the H.J. Smith listed in the 1880 census well could be the “KID” who worked on the survey crew laying out the boundaries of the State of South Dakota. It is also logical to assume that given the proximity of Mr. Smith’s residence, which is just north of Sioux Falls and slightly west of Brookings, SD, and is in the vicinity of the Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation that Mr. Smith or someone else could have bartered the revolver from one of the Sioux Indians who possibly had obtained it at the Little Big Horn or one of the fights just before the Little Big Horn. Regardless, this is an interesting, and although well used, is also a well cared for Colt. CONDITION: Very good, all matching including grip. The frame retains traces of case colors in the most sheltered areas with faint case colors on sides of hammer, otherwise the balance of the revolver is a smooth dark brown patina. Muzzle shows very heavy wear over top half. Grip is sound showing heavy wear with gouges in left side and retains a hand worn patina. Silver cross is heavily oxidized. Hammer is not solid in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with a few scattered spots of light pitting. 4-41816 (15,000-20,000)

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
	2172	$0.00	SCARCE AINSWORTH INSPECTED CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. SN 6978. Cal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ bbl, slightly thinned front sight and 1-line “script” address with serifs. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and a small “U.S.”. Mounted with its orig 1-pc walnut grip with the SN in back strap channel. Both sides of grip are hand carved “KID” in large black letters, and left side has an inlaid silver cross that has raised embossed letters “CHIEF”. SN was observed on frame, trigger guard, butt strap, bbl, cyl and in back strap channel of grip. Ejector rod housing is 1st type with bull’s eye ejector rod head. Accompanied by a letter signed by Peter Koch of Twin Rivers, Wisconsin, dated 2-11-02, wherein he relates meeting a group of Native Americans from Manitoba, Canada who were looking for work. He apparently hired them and traded guns with them, one of which was this revolver. He states that these Indians were from a reservation in Canada and were somehow related to the Sioux and Sitting Bull. Mr. Koch states that when he disassembled the revolver he found a piece of paper inside the grip which explains the meaning of the “KID” carving and “CHIEF” cross on the grip. He further states that the name of the Indian who sold him this revolver was named “Melvin Longhair”. Also accompanying is the aforementioned slip of paper which appears to be on old yellowed tablet paper about 8-1/2″ long x 3/4″ wide, upon which is written in pencil, “Personal revolver of Harold J Smith ‘Kid’ youngest member of the survey crew working or a mapping the dacotea (sic) for statehood #6978 Colt 1874 45 caliber 6 shot”. Additionally accompanying is a genealogical research letter over the signature of James W. Petty of Salt Lake City, Utah, dated 8-22-2001, wherein Mr. Petty states that he was unable to find any listing for Harold J. Smith as serving in the military or any other information under that name. He reports that the census of 1880 of Dakota Territory disclosed an H.J. Smith living in Brookings County, Dakota in the town Volga. He was 27 years old working as a clerk in the Railroad Depot and lists himself as having been born in Wisconsin and his parents born in Rhode Island. A further search of the 1870 census for Wisconsin disclosed the family of Daniel & Julia Smith who were born in Rhode Island with several children, one of whom, Henry, age 16, is listed as having been born in Wisconsin. No additional information regarding Mr. Smith was disclosed during this search. It appears that there was a strong statehood movement in Dakota Territory in the early 1880s and in 1885 the citizens overwhelming approved the new state constitution. In 1889 the Congress approved and on Feb. 22nd President Cleveland signed the bill creating the States of North & South Dakota, Montana & Washington. In light of the above dates it is logical to assume that the H.J. Smith listed in the 1880 census well could be the “KID” who worked on the survey crew laying out the boundaries of the State of South Dakota. It is also logical to assume that given the proximity of Mr. Smith’s residence, which is just north of Sioux Falls and slightly west of Brookings, SD, and is in the vicinity of the Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation that Mr. Smith or someone else could have bartered the revolver from one of the Sioux Indians who possibly had obtained it at the Little Big Horn or one of the fights just before the Little Big Horn. Regardless, this is an interesting, and although well used, is also a well cared for Colt. CONDITION: Very good, all matching including grip. The frame retains traces of case colors in the most sheltered areas with faint case colors on sides of hammer, otherwise the balance of the revolver is a smooth dark brown patina. Muzzle shows very heavy wear over top half. Grip is sound showing heavy wear with gouges in left side and retains a hand worn patina. Silver cross is heavily oxidized. Hammer is not solid in safety or half cock notches, otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with a few scattered spots of light pitting. 4-41816 (15,000-20,000) 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.

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