This is a desirable example of an early, pre-Custer battle, U.S. contract Colt Single Action Army revolver manufactured in 1873 that was inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Orville W. Ainsworth. As noted, this early Colt is accompanied by a letter from noted authority John Kopec, dated March 2010, that states this serial number is listed in his data base between two other Colts (1499 and 1512) that may have been shipped in a group of 26 other Cavalry pistols on Sept 1873. Although this serial number is not listed in the National Archives, he theorized that it was probably liberated by a deserting U.S. Cavalry Trooper. He also notes that two other revolvers in this serial number range (1495 and 1523) were both issued to the 10th Cavalry Regiment. He also goes on to note that an earlier revolver serial number "1457", was issued to the 8th Calvary and a slightly later pistol, serial number "1543", was issued to 7th cavalry. In his letter, he notes that this early pistol remains in almost all original condition (except for the later replacement walnut grips) and has all the following early features: (1) early script barrel address, with the partially broken "o" in "Co." and the unbroken "A" in "HARTFORD", (2) the barrel also has the early reversed inspector initial letter "A" closer to the cylinder pin with "P" proof forward of the sub-inspector proof, which was only used in 1873/74. (3) the cylinder with small bolt stops and guides, (4) ejector housing with barrel boss, (5) two-line/two-date patent markings, (6) small "U.S." property mark on the frame, (7) bullseye ejector rod head. The distinctive "A" sub-inspection mark utilized by O. W. Ainsworth is visible on the underside of the barrel, bottom of the trigger guard, side of the cylinder and the top of the back strap. "P" proofmarks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. Currently it is fitted with a later period Colt one-piece commercial walnut grip that fits very well and has been on the pistol for quite some time. The grip is numbered "6415" inside the back strap channel and has no cartouches or inspector marks. The assembly number "580" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The full serial number "1500" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel beneath the ejector housing, the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. Additionally, the right side of the grip has a small white painted area with a museum identification number H125 listed.

Good with a gray patina overall. Some of the area shows light erosion or fine pitting probably from sitting in a holster, and the right side front edge of the muzzle shows a heavy wear area from being inserted in and pulled out of a holster. This kind of wear pattern only comes from years of use on the western frontier. The replacement grips retain traces of their varnish showing some minor handling marks and light pressure dents on the sides. As noted, this very scarce early Cavalry revolver comes with all matching numbers except the grips.