This desirable early production U.S. contract Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army was manufactured in 1874 and sub-inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth, and falls within the 3421-4499 serial range of the 1,000 Cavalry Models in lot four reportedly shipped to Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, on January 31, 1874, and issued to the 2nd Cavalry, per page 238 of "Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study" (Published 1994) by Kopec and Fenn. On page 28 of the aforementioned book, this specific revolver is listed by its serial number, 4433, as being one of the Ainsworth New York Militia Revolvers, which the authors state, "There are a total of 142 New York Militia revolvers within the block of revolvers we call the Ainsworth Cavalry revolvers." The authors further state, "Most have not yet been discovered, while several subsequently were remodeled into Artillery revolvers." This makes this already highly desirable Ainsworth Colt Cavalry Single Action Army even more desirable. An accompanying factory letter turns up a later record indicating this revolver was shipped as part of a 200 gun shipment on October 18, 1895, to the U.S. Government Inspector located at the Colt plant, in .45 caliber, blue finish, with barrel length and type of grips not listed, and the letter further states, "The original records pertaining to this revolver were lost or destroyed many years ago. However, our records do indicate the return of this revolver for refurbishing and subsequent reshipment as noted above. The refurbishing consisted of replacement of worn parts, exterior refinishing and reassembly. The barrels on these revolvers were not shortened." These early revolvers were used throughout the Indian Wars, with this example seeing continued use after 1895 still in cavalry configuration. The 7 1/2 inch barrel has a blade front sight, italic "+ COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+" address on top correctly with die breaks in the small "o" in "Co." and "A" in Hartford markings, and a small "P" on bottom ahead of the cylinder pin, with the "P" also on the cylinder, with a "bullseye" ejector rod head. The early two-line, two-date patent marking followed by "U. S." is marked on the left side of the frame. Ainsworth's small "A" inspector mark is marked on the cylinder, trigger guard, and backstrap. Matching visible serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, cylinder, and butt. "A/204" stamped on the left of the grip, with a period inscribed fancy script font name that starts with a "D" and last name initial "M." on the iron butt section, with part of the inscription covered by a period added lanyard ring.