GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
SCARCE CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH KOPEC LETTER.COLT1873 CAVALRY SINGLE ACTION604545 COLTCal. 45 Colt. Usual configuration with 7-1/2" bbl, slightly thinned front sight and 1-line script letter address with the correct broken letters in the roll die. Left side of frame has 2-line patent dates and "U.S.". Mounted with 1-pc walnut grip that has a tiny "A" (Orville W. Ainsworth) sub-inspector initial on bottom left edge. Bottom right edge of grip has crude carved initials "WW". Mr. Ainsworth's "A" is also found on bottom of bbl, trigger guard, backstrap and cylinder. Matching SNs were found on the frame, trigger guard, backstrap, bbl and cylinder. Backstrap channel of the grip is dark and oil stained, obliterating any possibility of seeing the orig number. Ejector housing is 1st Type with bullseye ejector rod head and base pin is correct type with dimpled ends. Revolver has early features consisting of a sharp toe on the buttstrap, sharp front edge on the ejector housing and large cylinder stop notches without approaches. This revolver was part of Lot 6 from which the 1st, 2nd and 7th Cavalry regiments were issued the "new" revolvers from this lot in 1874 with the 7th Cavalry receiving about 166 revolvers from the SN range 5505-6516. The backstrap of a single action revolver, SN 6048, was located on the Custer Battlefield in relic condition during the archeological work in 1984. The 2nd Cavalry received 106 of these revolvers and the 1st 236 revolvers in that serial range. The history of the 7th Cavalry and Custer's debacle at the Little Bighorn against hostile Indians is extremely well known and needs no enhancement. The 2nd & 3rd Cavalry were equally storied and historic Cavalry regiments having fought Indians from Arizona to Montana and were actually present with General Crook at the Battle of the Rosebud on their way to support Custer at the Little Bighorn. The 1st Cavalry regiment was primarily stationed in California and their issue of these revolvers was shipped from Rock Island to Benicia Arsenal, California. The 1st Cavalry was also a historic regiment having fought Indians, outlaws and Mexicans throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho and Utah. The 1st Cavalry also was engaged in the Nez Perce War in 1877. Given the close proximity of the SN of this revolver with that of the backstrap recovered at the Little Bighorn (#6048) and the revolver (#6046) documented as having been issued to Company H, 2nd Cavalry as of June 11, 1874 lends credence to the belief that this revolver was present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn or as a minimum at the Battle of the Rosebud with the 2nd or 3rd Cavalry regiments. The fact that this revolver has remained in orig configuration until today is indicative that it escaped the recalls of the 1890s and early 20th century and further promotes the idea that it may have been captured by hostiles in June 1876. Accompanied by a 2-pg letter from renown Colt historian, author and collection John Kopec wherein he verifies most of the above information. CONDITION: Fair to good, all matching except grip as noted, which is probably orig to this revolver. Overall retains a smooth brown patina with fine surface pitting. Bbl retains blue under the ejector housing. Grip is sound and shows and old amateur refinish. Mechanics are fine. Strong bore with some shine and a partial ring about mid-point along with moderate pitting. 52497-1 JRL (8,000-10,000)