Antique Colt SAA Cavalry Revolver - 1874 Mfg.

This revolver is an early (1874) Ainsworth inspected Cavalry Colt that was nickel-plated by the factory. This is likely a rare “Buy-back” revolver that was originally sold to the U.S. government and then repurchased by Colt for resale to the civilian market, after being nickel-plated. This specific revolver, SN #12054, is listed on page 161 of John Kopec’s book Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers, A Continuing Study as one the 50 Ainsworth-inspected revolvers that were nickel-plated out of the 14,816 that he inspected while at Colt. This serial number falls in the SN range of 11976-12073 that were originally shipped to the U.S. Inspector on 7/29/1874, according to Kopec’s other book A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver. Ainsworth was an inspector at the Colt factory between October 1873 and early November 1874, when he left the job due to sickness. During his tenure he is credited with inspecting the government contract Single Action Army Revolvers between serial numbers 182 and 14,998.

The revolver barrel has the correct first style "script" address, the first style ejector housing with barrel boss stud, correct early-style base pin, bullseye ejector rod head and first style cylinder with small bolt stops and guides. O.W. Ainsworth’s “A” inspector stamp is visible on (1) Top of the backstrap behind the hammer, (2) Trigger guard below the serial number, (3) Underside of the barrel near the ejector housing. The correct "P" proof mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel by the ejector tube, underneath the “A” inspector stamp. The full serial number “12054” is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and backstrap. The partial serial number “2054” is stamped beneath the ejector housing. The assembly or bin number “615” is stamped on the inside of the loading gate and on the frame underneath the trigger guard. The two-line patent date stamp the and “U.S.” stamp appear to have been buffed out, likely when Colt repurchased the revolver through the buy-back process and was nickeled. Although, as a “Buy-back” revolver, it is possible that the new owner ground away the patent dates and U.S. markings to disguise its initial government origin, if Colt had not previously removed the U.S. markings as a buy-back (It is unlikely that Colt would have removed the patent date stamp as well!) The revolver retains approximately 20% of the frosted nickeled finish throughout but heavier in protected areas such as under the ejector housing. The metal surfaces of this revolver are fair to good with some pitting on the cylinder and frame. The one-piece walnut grips are in fair condition with minor chips on the bottom but with no signs of a remaining cartouche. The action locks up and the hammer spring is tight but the cylinder can be forced to advance due to wear in the cylinder stops. The bore is average with decent rifling but signs of pitting on the right side of the bore. This is a chance to get an early 2nd model year very rare “Buy-back” nickel-plated Ainsworth-inspected Colt. A true piece of history!