December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
On page 281 of "Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers,” 600 of the 7th Cavalry Revolvers are estimated to have come from the fifth lot. The authors noted, “Serial numbers 4507, 4553, (4597), 4949, 4955, 5100, 5128, 5133, 5153, 5147, 5180, and 5416 all have either documented Seventh Cavalry history, or some lesser degree of Seventh Cavalry history or battle association". All of these revolvers are from Lot Five. In the table on page 260, Custer’s command (companies C, E, F, I, and L plus ten staff and three scouts) are listed as having revolvers in the Lot Five and Lot Six range. Lot Five revolvers, among which this revolver falls, are noted as issued to companies C, E, F, and L along with the staff and scouts. This gun, serial number 4594, is three numbers off the above listed 4597. “At the minimum 252 and probably closer to 280 Colt Army revolvers were recovered by the warriors during the two day battle at the Little Bighorn” page 261. Given the condition of this gun, it shows years of post Custer hard use. This gun has matching numbers on the frame, trigger guard, back strap and barrel. The Ainsworth A inspector stamp is found on top of back strap, cylinder, barrel, trigger guard and base of left grip panel. The left grip panel has the inspector cartouche OWA (Orville W. Ainsworth) that is still partially readable. The assembly number 056 is stamped on loading gate. Left side of frame has distinct two line Patent date legend with strong U.S. The top of barrel has the early type one slanted single line address. Also has the early smooth donut ejector head. CONDITION: Good. No original finish. Gun is all patina with overall scattered age spotting and some corrosion. The grips are very good and solid. The action has no half cock but does have solid full cock and operates correctly. The bore is still very sharp and clean. Highly probable that this gun was lifted for use by the Indians after the battle.