This early U.S. contract Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army was manufactured in 1874 and sub-inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth. Ainsworth's "A" inspection mark is stamped on the bottom of the barrel behind the "P", near the back of the cylinder, on the trigger guard below the serial number, and at the top of the back strap by the hammer, and his "OWA" cartouche is visible on the left side of the grip. Matching serial numbers are found on the barrel under the ejector housing, side of the cylinder, and the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The top of the barrel has "+COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." marking with the die break in the "o" in "Co.", and the left of the frame has the two-line patent dates and "U.S." The assembly number "172" is marked inside the loading gate. There is a small "C" marked between the rear sight notch and the firing pin hole. This revolver falls within the Lot 8 7528-8652 serial number range listed on page 234 and 238 of "Colt Cavalry and Artillery Revolvers...a Continuing Study" as inspected at Colt on March 14, 1874, received at Springfield Armory on March 18, 1874, and then shipped in June 1874 to the arsenals in San Antonio, Texas, for the 5th Cavalry and 9th Cavalry and Fort Union, New Mexico, for the 8th Cavalry. These were the last of the 8,000 revolvers procured specifically for rearming the U.S. Cavalry with Colt Single Action Army revolvers. The cavalry was stationed throughout the American West, and these Lot 8 revolvers went to the Southwest where the cavalry was assigned to defend settlers from raids by the Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Apaches. The 5th Cavalry was also sent north following the Battle of the Little Bighorn to avenge Custer and the 7th Cavalry.

Fine with 40% of original blue finish visible in the protected areas around the front sight, the upper and lower grooves of the ejector housing, along the bottom of the barrel, in the cylinder flutes, at the top of the back strap, and around the bottom of the trigger guard. The frame also retains 30% of strong original case colors in the protected areas, including vibrant colors on and below the recoil shield. The balance of the revolver has an even light brown patina, and there are patches of minor oxidation and pitting. The grip is also fine and has minor edge wear, mild handling wear, a faint but legible cartouche, chips at the toe and heel, hammering marks on the butt, and a large divot on the right side. Mechanically excellent. This is a very solid original example of an early U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver inspected by Orville Ainsworth and likely issued to the U.S. Cavalry in the American Southwest in 1874.