Manufactured in 1874. This revolver was inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth and is stamped with his distinctive "A" sub-inspectors mark on barrel, trigger guard (faint), back strap and cylinder. A “P” proof is stamped on the barrel and cylinder. The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address, and the left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by “US.” The ejector rod has a bullseye head. The matching serial number is stamped on the frame, trigger and back strap. The matching partial serial number (“3044”) is stamped on the cylinder and barrel. The revolver has a full nickel plating. Four basic theories for the existence of this highly controversial grouping of nickel plated U.S. Cavalry revolvers have developed over the decades and are the following: 1) issued to Indian Scouts and Police; 2) special order "officers" revolvers; 3) surplus State of Virginia Militia revolvers sold to and nickel plated by Colt or commercial retailers; and 4) U.S. Navy revolvers. Graham, Moore and Kopec's "A Story of The Colt Single Action Army Revolver" identifies the largest single block of nickeled Cavalry revolvers as occurring in the 11800 through the 14230 serial number range, all manufactured in 1874 and all inspected by Ainsworth (see Chapter X). This information is retold in Fenn and Kopec’s “Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers…a Continuing Study” on pages 20-21. Additional details related to this SAA come from the accompanying letter of provenance. In 1992 the revolver was purchased from Art Crouch whose great uncle, Henry Crouch, originally owned the revolver. According to the family, Henry Crouch “was a Texas Ranger or U.S. Marshal around Waco, Texas in the 1800s” and was killed along with his horse when struck by lightning. A letter from the Moody Texas Ranger Memorial Library states that while Henry Crouch is not listed in the Texas Ranger database, an enlistment for Amos H. Crouch was found. According to library files, Amos H. Crouch enlisted as a Texas Ranger in December 1873, was discharged in April 1874 and died in Harrisburg, PA in 1933. It is reasonable to conclude that Amos’ middle name was Henry and Amos used his middle name as his first name. Henry Crouch and Amos H. Crouch are one in the same. The included Colt factory letter states that records for this revolver are unavailable.

Very fine, retaining 70% plus period Colt/authorized retailer applied nickel plating with the balance a smooth gray patina. There is a patch of pitting at the muzzle. The highly attractive age shrunken grip is fine with a chip near the butt, high edge wear and attractive mellow appearance. Mechanically fine. A Texas Ranger attributed nickel plated Ainsworth inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Revolver that is a must have to any serious SAA or law enforcement collection.