Lot 2940

Description

Cal. 45 Colt, SN. 1815, matching numbers. 7½" barrel, almost bright bore with very good rifling. Six shots. Manufacturing date 1874. German silver blade front side. Round ejector rod head. On the barrel top marked "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". On the left side of the frame 2-line patent data, next to "U.S." mark for Ordnance Department. The loading gate with assembly number "859". The original finish turned grayish patina. Dark walnut grip in very good condition, a small chip top right, the left side marked "1874". Mechanically sound. Length 37 cm. An extremely rare Colt SAA from the second year of production, from the first government contract for the cavalry.

Add-on: additional close inspection of this gun has revelead the inspectors marks of Orville Ainsworth, who was an "embedded" US ordnance dept. inspector working at the Colt factory, making sure that the first guns being delivered to the cavalry (= serial numbers 202 to 14.303) were working all right. His little "A" can be found on the back strap right below the hammer, and on the trigger guard (see pictures). On the cylinder it has worn off. This inspection has also revelead that the barrel is most likely a later replacement, as the markings on top of the barrel are not in italics as the first approx. 20.000 guns made should be, the "A" mark is missing, and the serial number is slightly off to the right (hidden below the ejection rod casing) as should be the case in such an early production run. 
In our online auction in June the matching rig for this gun is being offered, belt, holster, cartridge pouch and a cavalry sword.

WBK: Attention - For this gun we will need to obtain an export license for you, based on your import permit (if needed in your country) or through your firearms dealer

Condition: III Questions about the lot?