This Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver was manufactured prior to July 1874 and sub-inspected by O.W. Ainsworth. The revolver is accompanied by a authentication letter from John A. Kopec. The Kopec letter states that this revolver had been previously identified in a survey of Colt Single Action revolvers and that six Single Action Cavalry revolvers in the same 5100 serial range as this revolver had been documented as either issued to the 7th Cavalry or used in the battle of Little Bighorn. The Kopec letter states that there is a good possibility this revolver was also issued to the 7th Cavalry. The revolver has the first style ejector housing with barrel boss, 'bullseye' ejector rod head, early cylinder with small bolt stops and guides, cavalry style hammer with elongated, bordered, knurling on the spur and one-piece, oil finished, walnut grip. The barrel is roll-stamped with the early 'script' address: "+ COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+" with slanted crosses at either end. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the early 'two-date/two-line' patent markings followed by a small "U.S." property mark. The assembly number "329" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The small "A" sub-inspection mark used by Ordnance Sub-Inspector O.W. Ainsworth is stamped on the underside of the barrel, on the trigger guard behind the serial number, on the side of the cylinder and on the top of the back strap. Small "P' proof marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. The full serial number, "5173" is stamped on the barrel beneath the ejector housing, on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. The revolver is complete with a Rock Island Arsenal Model 1881 Holster for Colt and S&W revolvers. The holster is made of black leather and has "US" in an oval embossed on the body. The flap has two holes to enable it to be used with either a Colt Single Action of S&W Schofield revolver. The holster has the intermediate width belt loop that allows it to fit over an empty woven cartridge belt. The front of the flap is stamped "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL" in two lines above the inspector initials "W.T.G".

Good. The revolver has an even, dark brown, patina. The Kopec letter states that the ejector housing and grip are correct replacements and that the grip probably originated from revolver serial number 15802 which was manufactured in 1875. There is a small spot of pitting on the underside of the barrel and scattered pitting on the cylinder. The left side of the trigger guard has some recent scratch marks. The grip shows the same degree of wear as the other revolver components and fits well. The grip has no visible markings. The serial numbers, barrel and frame markings, Ainsworth inspection marks and proof marks are strong. The action is tight and functions well. The scarce 1881 pattern holster is in good-very good condition with a strong "US" embossing and tight seams. The holster body and flap have light flex marks with some scuffing on high spots and some very minor flaking on the edges. This is a good example of a rare Ainsworth Inspected, Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver in the 7th Cavalry/Little Bighorn serial number range with a nice, hard to find period holster.