2020 September Premier, Volume I

Phenomenal, Rare & Historically Significant Orville Ainsworth Inspected Colt U.S. Cavalry
Single Action Army Revolver Issued to the Indian Fighting 4th Texas Cavalry
The Corner Stone Collection
LOT 163
Extraordinary and Well-Documented Finest Known Ainsworth Inspected Company K 4th Cavalry San Antonio
Texas Arsenal U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalry Model Revolver with John Kopec Gold Seal Letter - Serial no. 3576,
45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This is an exceptional and rare U.S. Contract Colt
Single Action Army Cavalry Model Revolver that was manufactured in 1873. This revolver was inspected by Ordnance
Sub-Inspector Orville W. Ainsworth and is stamped with his distinctive small “A” sub-inspection mark on the underside of
the barrel, the trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and left stock heel. Ainsworth’s script initials “OWA” are stamped in a rectangle
on the lower left side of the grip. The revolver is boldly stamped with the unit marking “CO.K.4.CAV” upside-down on the right side of the
frame. Ainsworth-inspected 4th Cavalry marked Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Model revolvers are discussed on pages 17-18 of “Colt
Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers” by John A. Kopec. Kopec states that he identified 15 Ainsworth inspected Single Action revolvers with the
“CO.K.4.CAV” marking. The serial numbers of these revolvers range from No. 2902-No.4596. Kopec states that all of these revolvers were
ordered by the Ordnance Department on January 15, 1874 and were shipped to the San Antonio Arsenal. The serial number of this revolver
is not included in the 15 revolvers on Kopec’s list, as this example was found subsequent to the research. The accompanying John Kopec
gold seal letter authenticates this Cavalry Model SAA as being issued to the 4th Cavalry. Kopec proclaims, “The overall finish of this revolver
remains unbelievable!” The revolver is also accompanied by a detailed description (copy) by Colt expert R.L Wilson which extensively quotes
the descriptions of Ainsworth-inspected Cavalry Single Action Revolvers in “Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers”. Wilson states, “In condition
and originality, no revolver equals, or surpasses number 3576.” The revolver has a military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder,
trigger guard, and back strap. Feathered polishing marks are visible on the barrel on either side of the front sight blade. The frame, loading
gate and hammer are casehardened. The one piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The revolver has the early “bullseye” ejector rod head,
cylinder with small stop slots and military style hammer with elongated bordered knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped
with the early script address: “+ “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+”. “P” proof marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel
and on the side of the cylinder. A “C” Colt sub-inspection mark is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole.
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4TH CAVALRY TROOPERS AND THEIR APACHE SCOUTS GUARDING A SOUTHWESTERN
WATER HOLE DURING THE GERONIMO CAMPAIGN