GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
PRIME ''LOT 5''CUSTER RANGE AINSWORTH INSPECTED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.COLTSA ARMY510945Cal. 45. This revolver, SN 5109, is accompanied by a letter of authentication by Colt Single Action expert John A. Kopec. Mr. Kopec states that the serial number of this revolver, "5109", places it in ''Lot Five'' of the Ainsworth-inspected Single Action Cavalry revolvers. The 600 ''Lot Five'' revolvers are considered to be the pistols primarily issued to Custer''s 7th Cavalry and carried at the Battle of Little Bighorn in June 1876. This revolver falls within a group of identified 7th Cavalry revolvers that include serial numbers 5100 (Custer Battle pickup), 5133, 5147 (Troop L, 7th Cavalry), 5153 and 5180 and falls only 19 SNs apart from revolver SN 5128 which is documented to have been captured by Spotted Crow at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. This revolver conforms to other martial early Colt single actions with 7-1/2" bbl with Hartford single line address. Left side of frame marked with 2-line patents and "US". Grips fit gun well and appear orig to gun, though they have been "custom checkered" during period of use with no discernible cartouche remaining or SN. This is an honest complete survivor of the U.S. military, made 2 years prior to the Little Big Horn. PROVENANCE: The Dr. Robert G. Cox Estate Collection. CONDITION: Revolver appears orig and complete with exception of replaced ejector tube, base pin and base pin screw. Kopec mentions in his letter that the firing pin has been modified also. Matching SN 5109 are found on bbl, frame, trigger guard, cyl and backstrap. Ainsworth "A" sub inspector marks are still easily seen on cyl, backstrap and trigger guard. Metal overall is gray/brown with staining and pitting. Replaced ejector housing is cleaned and ejector housing screw does not bind. Bbl address and SNs are all well struck and easily discerned, though a couple of numbers worn on cyl and bbl. Stocks appear to have been silver painted, now hand worn showing paint in crevices of cross hatch carving and some crevices. Mechanically gun is sound and functional with fairly crisp discernible rifling in bore. 50018-157 JS (5,000-8,000)