Custer Range Ainsworth Inspected Colt 1873 Cavalry Model Single Action Army
SOLD FOR: $18550
LSB#: 230320LC005
Make: Colt
Model: 1873 Cavalry Model Single Action Army
Serial Number: 7061
Year of Manufacture: 1874 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 Colt, Blackpowder
Action Type: 6-Shot Single Action Revolver with Side Gate Loaded Cylinder
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “+COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG Co HARTFORD, CT. U. S. A.+”, the underside is marked “A” and “P” in front of the cylinder pin head, and under the ejector housing is “7061” at the rear. The outside of the cylinder is marked “7061”, “A” and “P”. The bottom of the frame at the front, the bottom of the trigger guard at the front and the butt are each marked “7061”. Behind the trigger guard’s serial marking is “A”, found again at the top of the backstrap behind the hammer. The hammer slot is marked “C”. The left of the frame is marked “PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871 / PAT. JULY. 2. 1872” and “U.S”. The rear face of the loading gate has “369” assembly number.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece smooth walnut. The grip has moderate wear with scattered finish loss and most notable wear toward the bottom. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable dings, some of which have damaged portions of the surface wood. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: The finish appears Original to the parts. The ejector housing is a replacement, the barrel has a socket for an early-style indexing-stud housing, the housing does not have a stud. The bottom-rear of the hammer appears to have blue finish which would indicate refinishing or replacement of this part. The front trigger guard mounting screw appears to be a replacement.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light-moderate erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 5 out of 10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This revolver retains about 5% of its metal finish. There is some blue finish on protected areas of the ejector housing and on the portion of the barrel covered by the housing. There is some finish on the bottom-rear of the hammer. Other surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform light-moderate patina. There is some scattered light surface oxidation. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches with a few more notable dings. There is a cluster of dings on the butt and there is a spot of odd erosion on the backstrap. There are a few other scattered spots of minor surface erosion. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The cylinder locks with light play on each chamber. The cylinder bushing is a separate part, but it is seized in the cylinder. We were not able to remove the bushing. We have not fired this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Colt’s Single Action Army is, perhaps more than any other, an iconic American pistol. It was the U.S. issue sidearm for the last two decades of the 19th century, used by pioneers, outlaws and lawmen across the expanding nation, and captivated audiences on the silver screen and television (and still does, today). This U.S. Cavalry model is quite an early example, from the 7th lot delivered to the Cavalry. Of great interest to collectors, this revolver is in the “Custer Range”, it is possible that it was issued to the 7th Cavalry, most of whom would meet their fate at the Battle of Little Bighorn. While only a few of these revolvers have been definitively determined to have been issued to the 7th Cavalry, those revolvers in the range where it was possible are keenly sought out by collectors due to this possibility.
In any case, this is a nice 1873 Cavalry model to add to any collection. Its serialized parts match with proper inspection marks, however the ejector housing and at least one screw have been replaced, possibly the hammer as well. The gun shows honest wear consistent with its age and service. Not just a nice example of a military Single Action Army, being in the Custer Range will certainly make this a prized addition to even advanced collections. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
