September 15, 16, & 17, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Lot #1307:
(A) COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER WITH DOCUMENTATION TO GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER'S FARRIER.
Historically significant Colt Single action revolver with provenance to a member of Custers' 7th Cavalry regiment. This revolver has been in the possession of the original family descendants of the 7th cavalry member and has never been offered for public sale. Michael Lang was a member of the 7th cavalry, employed as a blacksmith in Company C, as verified in a letter from V.K. Hart, Captain of Company K of the 7th Cavalry. Lang also worked as a personal blacksmith for General and Mrs. Custer as they were avid equestrians. Lang stayed at Fort Lincoln in government service even though his military service had ended just prior to the Battle of Little Big Horn, but chose not to reenlist as so many of his friends had died. Michael's son, Custer Albert Lang, kept the revolver among family possessions after his fathers death and subsequently passed along to his son, also named Custer, who was the father of Jon C Lang. According to Kopec, this revolver falls at the beginning of lot seven, serial number 6526. The revolver itself is retains all of its original parts from its production in 1874. The Ainsworth inspected revolver has the single line Italic address on the barrel. The matching serial number and "A" ordnance mark with P firing proof on the underside of the barrel. The revolver retains the original bullseye ejector rod and first model ejector housing. The Ainsworth cartouche is visible on the left grip panel, as well as an "A" on the left heel of the grip. Ainsworth Ordnance marks appear on the cylinder, trigger guard, and back strap. The hammer is original to the gun, with coarse checkering with a border and single termination line. Include with the revolver are documents pertaining to the original owner, affidavits from family members attesting to the chain of ownership and Lang's role in the 7th cavalry, and biography of Lang. This previously unknown and historic Colt has a letter of authentication from noted Colt historian and member of the board of directors of the Colt Collectors association, Charles B Layson, discussing the history and condition of this revolver, notably writing "in addition to its apparent untouched condition, its desirability, in my opinion, is increased by the fact that this original 7th Cavalry Colt stayed in the same family with the ancestors of Michael Lang for approximately one hundred and twenty years. It would be very difficult to find a more honest example of these historically important firearms, or one with better provenance, associated with General George Custer and the 7th U.S. Cavalry". CONDITION: Traces of case colors are present on the hammer and inside the frame window, as well as protected areas of the recoil shield. The overall finish of the revolver has a pleasing, uncleaned and unaltered finish. The srcews are all original and unmolested. The bore has strong rifling, with scattered corrosion throughout.