This is an exceptional and rare U.S. Contract Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Model Revolver that was manufactured in 1873. This revolver was inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Orville W. Ainsworth and is stamped with his distinctive small "A" sub-inspection mark on the underside of the barrel, the trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, and left stock heel. Ainsworth's script initials "OWA" are stamped in a rectangle on the lower left side of the grip. The revolver is boldly stamped with the unit marking "CO.K.4.CAV" upside-down on the right side of the frame. Ainsworth-inspected 4th Cavalry marked Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Model revolvers are discussed on pages 17-18 of "Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers" by John A. Kopec. Kopec states that he identified 15 Ainsworth inspected Single Action revolvers with the "CO.K.4.CAV" marking. The serial numbers of these revolvers range from No. 2902-No.4596. Kopec states that all of these revolvers were ordered by the Ordnance Department on January 15, 1874 and were shipped to the San Antonio Arsenal. The serial number of this revolver is not included in the 15 revolvers on Kopec's list, as this example was found subsequent to the research. The accompanying John Kopec gold seal letter authenticates this Cavalry Model SAA as being issued to the 4th Cavalry. Kopec proclaims, "The overall finish of this revolver remains unbelievable!" The revolver is also accompanied by a detailed description (copy) by Colt expert R.L Wilson which extensively quotes the descriptions of Ainsworth-inspected Cavalry Single Action Revolvers in "Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers". Wilson states, "In condition and originality, no revolver equals, or surpasses number 3576." The revolver has a military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard, and back strap. Feathered polishing marks are visible on the barrel on either side of the front sight blade. The frame, loading gate and hammer are casehardened. The one piece walnut grip has an oil finish. The revolver has the early "bullseye" ejector rod head, cylinder with small stop slots and military style hammer with elongated bordered knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the early script address: "+ "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.+". "P" proof marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. A "C" Colt sub-inspection mark is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole. The left side of the frame is marked with the two-line, two patent date markings followed by the "U.S." property mark. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "904". The full serial number "3576" is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and the side of the cylinder. The full serial number is also stamped on the left side of the ejector rod housing near the rear ejector rod slot (this, in itself, is a rare feature) with the numbers being smaller than the serial numbers on other components. Also included with this revolver is a letter (copy) from the late Ronald A. Ogan that states "In my opinion, this revolver is the finest Ainsworth inspected, U.S. Army marked, Single Action known to exist". The documentation also includes a detailed history of the 4th Cavalry regiment and the 4th Cavalry's campaigns against the Comanche and Kiowa during the early 1870s under Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie. The 4th Cavalry is one of the most famous and decorated U.S. regiments. During the Indian Wars the 4th Cavalry took an active role in the pacification mission in Texas, including a major campaign against the Comanche in northern Texas in 1874, marched with General Crook to locate Chief Dull Knife and his Cheyenne forces, and fought the Apache in Arizona.

Excellent plus, as issued. The evaluation by R.L. Wilson that accompanies the revolver states: "In condition and originality, no revolver equals, or surpasses number 3576. The color of the blue, the patina of the steel and wood, the old grease from years' past, and the clouded color the case-hardening (excepting on the relatively bright hammer) are all indicative of the attic condition, unused survival of this remarkable and rare Single Action Colt revolver". This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the discriminating collector to own an Ainsworth inspected 4th Cavalry marked Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army Revolver described as the best example available by two nationally recognized experts on Colt revolvers. The inclusion of this U.S. Colt SAA enhances any collection. This is the king of all U.S. Colt Single Action Cavalries! Provenance: The Corner Stone Collection.