Manufactured in 1874. This revolver is illustrated and described on page 252 of A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER by Graham, Kopec and Moore. The revolver description indicates that this was one of six early serial number government contract Single Action Army revolvers known to the authors when their book was published in 1976. Many Colt experts believe that the early production Colt government contract Single Action Army revolvers with nickel plated finish were originally issued by the Ordnance Department to state militias and subsequently resold by the states to Colt in new condition. Colt sent the buy-back revolvers to the Adams Nickel Plating & Mfg. Co. in South Windham, Connecticut, for nickel plating to distinguish them from government owned revolvers and sold the pistols on the open market. The revolver has the early production Single Action Army features and markings which include the first style ejector assembly with barrel boss, bullseye ejector rod head, cylinder with small stops and guides, cavalry hammer with elongated bordered knurling on the spur, early script barrel address and frame with Colt two-line/two-date patent markings. The small "A" Ainsworth Ordnance sub-inspection marks are visible on the trigger guard, cylinder and back strap. A small "U.S." property mark is stamped on the left side of the frame. "P" proofmarks are visible on the underside of the barrel and the side of the cylinder. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "777". The full serial number "7486" is visible on the underside of the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder. The one-piece walnut grip is oil finished.

Fair. The barrel, frame, cylinder and hammer have been buffed and only traces of the silver plated finish remain. There is moderate-heavy pitting on the frame, back strap and cylinder and heavy pitting on the ejector housing. Traces of the nickel plated finish are visible on the trigger guard and frame. With the exception of the small "A" sub-inspection mark on the barrel and frame, all of the original markings remain legible. The grip is fair with chips in the lower front edges and deep dents in the butt. No Ordnance markings are visible on the grip. The action remains functional. Although the revolver is in relic condition, it is a fully documented example of a very rare 1874 production Ainsworth sub-inspected government contract Single Action Army Cavalry Model revolver with nickel plated finish. This rare revolver would be a significant and worthy addition to any advanced Colt Single Action collection.