GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
FINE CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.COLTSAA CAVALRY474645 COLTCal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" bbl, slightly thinned with full height front sight, 1-line script letter address and matching SN on the bottom under the ejector housing. Ejector housing is 1st type with replacement, donut-shaped ejector rod head. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and "U.S.". Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that shows faint matching SN in backstrap channel. Left side of grip has the outline of its cartouche, which would have been "OWA" (Orvil W. Ainsworth), who was the government inspector at the Colt factory at the time this revolver was produced. Mr. Ainsworth''s tiny "A" inspector initials are found on bottom of bbl, trigger guard, backstrap, cyl and bottom left edge of grip. This revolver falls directly in the center of the serial range issued to the 7th Cavalry Regiment under Custer in 1874. On June 25, 1876, Custer and five companies of the 7th Cavalry and three white scouts were annihilated at The Battle of the Little Big Horn by the combined forces of several tribes of Indians. There were at least 632 Single Action Revolvers carried into that battle, of which about 252 to 280 were lost on the battlefield that day. There were 212 Cavalrymen and three civilians killed with Custer, all of whom were carrying Colt revolvers. Of the 632 Colt revolvers carried into the battle that day, a total of 302 were reported lost during the battle. The fact that this revolver has remained in near orig configuration attests to the almost certainty that it was captured by the Indians at the Custer fight. Had it remained with the 7th Cavalry, or any active Cavalry unit it would have been recalled in 1895 or the early 20th century and would have been converted too artillery configuration with its bbl cut to 5-1/2". Since that did not happen there are really only two possible explanations: 1). It was captured at the Little Big Horn by the victorious Indians or , 2). It was stolen by an active duty trooper. The vast majority, about 600, of 7th Cavalry Colts were issued from lot 5 which includes this revolver. Accompanied by a large packet of research material regarding this and other Custer era revolvers, including a number of magazine article by well-known writers. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching including bbl, cyl & grip. Bbl retains about 25% orig blue in sheltered areas, mostly around the ejector housing with light pitting on both sides of the muzzle. Frame retains faint case colors in sheltered areas with the balance a silver grey patina and fine pitting on left recoil shield. Ejector housing retains about 60-70% strong orig blue in the gullets, silver grey on outer radius. Hammer retains 60-70% faded case colors. Trigger guard and backstrap are a mottled silver brown patina. Cyl is matching patina. Grip has chipped left toe with a few nicks & scratches, moderate to heavy edge wear and shows most of an old refinish with the faint outline of a cartouche on the left side. Hammer is not solid in safety notch otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with scattered fine pitting. 49432-86 JR (25,000-50,000)