Made in 1874, the second year of Colt Single Action Army production, during Orville Ainsworth's tenure as Principal Sub-Inspector. Fixed sights, with the italic one line address on top of the barrel flanked by crosses, with broken lines in the "o" in "Co" and the "A" in "HARTFORD", a bull's-eye head ejector rod and "P/ A" ahead of the cylinder pin. Ejector housing is a later replacement, with the barrel configured for a "bolster" style housing. Matching serial numbers are present on the frame, grip straps, barrel and cylinder. The frame has the two line, two date patent marking, next to the "U.S." stamp. Ainsworth's "A" inspector marks are in the appropriate places on the trigger guard and backstrap. Smooth one piece walnut grips, with no visible cartouche.

Good as period modified, with a mixed brown and gray patina, along with scattered pitting and handling marks. The barrel has been shortened, and the front sight moved. The frame has turned gray with dark traces of the original finish. Grips are fair, with chipping at the toe and a number of pressure dents. Mechanically good. If this U.S. Colt SAA could talk, what a story it would tell!