Nickel Plated Ainsworth Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model 45 LC Single Action Army Revolver with Kopec Letter

Description:
An exceptional first-year-production U.S. contract Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army, serial number 1232, manufactured in 1873 during the Indian Wars era and inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth. Backed by a 2024 John A. Kopec letter of authentication, this early Ainsworth-inspected Cavalry revolver offers major collector appeal through its low serial number, documented research history, possible 6th Cavalry association, original grip, and intriguing later nickel finish.

• Early production Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Army revolver
• U.S. contract revolver manufactured in the first year of Single Action Army production: 1873
• Serial number: 1232
• Manufactured during the height of the Indian Wars period
• Shipped circa October 1873, according to John A. Kopec’s authentication letter
• Ordnance sub-inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth, one of the most desirable and historically important inspectors associated with early U.S. Colt Cavalry revolvers
• Examined by noted Colt Single Action Army authority John A. Kopec
• Includes Kopec letter of authentication dated October 24, 2024
• Kopec notes that this revolver, serial number 1232, had previously been listed in his survey on February 11, 1995
• Kopec records that serial number 1232 falls between two other U.S. Cavalry revolvers in his database:
  • Serial number 1225
  • Serial number 1233, documented as a 6th Cavalry issue
• Kopec states that serial number 1233 is listed in National Archives records as “lost” by the 6th Cavalry on June 14, 1875
• Although Kopec could not locate serial number 1232 in available National Archives records, he notes there is a “very good chance” this revolver was also issued to the 6th Cavalry during the Indian Wars period
• The 6th Cavalry received its initial issues of these new “Strap-pistols” during the second quarter of 1874, between April and June
• At that time, the 6th Cavalry was stationed at various forts and camps throughout:
  • Colorado Territory
  • Kansas
  • Indian Territory
• 6th Cavalry issue revolvers are reported to range from serial number 1192 through 2332, placing this revolver squarely within that historically important range
• Kopec further states that this revolver appears to have escaped refurbishment during the Spanish-American War era
• Kopec believes it was subsequently sold as surplus
• The revolver was later nickel-plated by a non-factory party
• Kopec specifically notes that the nickel finish was not applied by the Colt factory because:
  • Colt would not have plated the hammer
  • Colt would not have plated the screws
  • Colt would have marked the revolver with the “45 CAL” caliber designation
• Kopec also notes that the U.S. Ordnance Department never supplied these revolvers with a nickel finish
• Kopec states that the term “Buy-back” is no longer being used for these nickel-plated U.S. Cavalry revolvers
• The revolver has several noted component observations from Kopec:
  • Replacement ejector spring
  • Unnumbered cylinder, possibly a “spare-parts” replacement
  • Fitted with an “extra-strong” mainspring
  • Blue-finished replacement trigger
  • Original grip
• Later nickel-plated U.S. Cavalry Colts have long been a fascinating specialty category for advanced collectors
• Various theories have been proposed for nickel-plated Cavalry Models, including:
  • Issue to Indian Scouts and Indian Police
  • Possible special-order “officers” revolvers
  • Possible U.S. Navy use
  • Surplus militia revolvers sold back to Colt
  • Revolvers nickel-plated by commercial businesses
• These theories are discussed on page 250 of Graham, Moore, and Kopec’s “A Study of The Colt Single Action Army Revolver” from the 1978 printing
• That same book dedicates an entire chapter to these nickel-plated U.S. revolvers on pages 249–258
• Graham, Moore, and Kopec note that the earliest known recorded nickel-plated U.S. revolver known to them was serial number 2799, which is later than this revolver’s serial number 1232
• They identify the largest single block of nickeled Cavalry revolvers as being in the 11800–14230 serial number range
• That 11800–14230 nickel-plated block was manufactured in 1874 and inspected by Ainsworth
• This information is also retold on pages 20–21 of Fenn and Kopec’s “Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers…a Continuing Study”
• Fenn and Kopec also list a group of revolvers purchased by the State of Virginia and immediately sold and nickel-plated through an arms dealer
• Orville W. Ainsworth’s distinctive small “A” sub-inspector mark appears throughout the revolver, including:
  • Bottom of the barrel
  • Below the serial number on the trigger guard
  • Cylinder
  • Top of the back strap
• One-piece walnut grip bears Ainsworth’s bordered script “OWA” inspection cartouche on the lower left side
• Kopec describes the “OWA” cartouche as somewhat worn
• Cylinder and barrel also bear “P” proof marks
• Sighting system:
  • Blade front sight
  • Notch rear sight
• Equipped with bullseye-style ejector
• Fitted with a one-piece walnut grip
• Top of the barrel is marked with the one-line Colt address:
  • “+COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT, U.S.A.+”
• Barrel address correctly shows the expected die breaks:
  • Broken “o” in “Co”
  • Partially broken “A” in “HARTFORD”
• Left side of frame is marked with the two-line patent marking, showing two patent dates followed by:
  • “U.S.”
• Full matching visible serial number “1232” appears on:
  • Bottom of barrel
  • Frame
  • Trigger guard
  • Back strap
• Cylinder is unnumbered
• Loading gate is marked with assembly number “224”
• Includes a Colt Archive letter stating Colt was unable to locate shipping information for this revolver
• Colt Archive letter notes that records from 1873 to 1876 “were destroyed years ago, and are no longer available”
• Includes a binder containing compiled research documents
• A highly desirable collector revolver combining:
  • First-year 1873 production
  • Very low serial number 1232
  • U.S. Cavalry configuration
  • Ainsworth inspection
  • Possible 6th Cavalry Indian Wars association
  • Kopec authentication
  • Original grip with OWA cartouche
  • Matching visible major serial-numbered components
  • A historically intriguing later nickel finish
  • Extensive supporting research materials

Condition

Very fine, retains 97% period applied nickel plated finish, with a few small spots of minor flaking showing smooth brown patina, and mostly defined markings and edges in the metal overall. Grip is very good as revarnished, with some light scratches, dents, and chips, and a visible cartouche. The hammer does not remain in the half cock position, and the cylinder occasionally seizes during cycling. This desirable nickel plated Ainsworth inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Single Action Army revolver would make a fine addition to any Colt collection!

Handgun Caliber: .45 Colt
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Model Single Action Army
Serial Number: 1232
Barrel Length: 7 1/2 inch round
Condition: The bore is partially darkened with defined rifling.

Price: $17,999.99