Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE single-action revolver today for a penny start auction, this is the Colt Single Action Army!
This revolver bears the US stamp and has been inspected by Ainsworth, making it one of the earliest Colt single Action Army revolvers. These revolvers are a rare find, making it a coveted and prized addition to any firearm collection.
This revolver bears the US stamp and has been inspected by Ainsworth, making it one of the earliest Colt single Action Army revolvers. These revolvers are a rare find, making it a coveted and prized addition to any firearm collection.
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SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Single Action Army
Serial: 14913
Date of Manufacture: 1874
Caliber: .45 Colt
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 4 3/4"
Optics/Sights: Blade front / Notch rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth walnut
Action: Single-Action
Markings: Standard / Left side of frame stamped "US" with a two line patented "Pat.Sept.19.1871 Pat.July.2.1872" date, "45 CAL" over a "B" stamped above trigger, Bottom of grips stamped "R.A.C." and bottom of frame stamped "A 14913"
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
This is certainly the pinnacle of Colt collection, the most desirable gun inspected by the desirable inspector. Ainsworth inspected Colts are the first of the US Colt Single Action Army's, seen only through serial number 14998 and rarely seen today. These guns were frequently rebuilt in arsenals and are seldom encountered in their original condition. This gun has all matching serial numbers.
Few Colts have remained in their original condition as this one, even fewer are US marked, and only a handful are Ainsworth inspected. This is truly a jewel for any Collection.
The OWA colt refers to the earliest issued Single Action Army guns which Orville W. Ainsworth inspected. Ainsworth was the ordnance sub-inspector at the Colt factory for the first 13 months (Oct.1873 to Nov.1874) of the Single Action Army's production. It was Ainsworth who inspected the Colts used by Col. G.A. Custer's 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The number range of possible Little Bighorn Colt is 4500-7527.
Henry Nettleton was the U.S. Principal Sub-inspector in 1878 at the Springfield Armory. Second only to the OWA colts, Nettleton Colts are prized by serious collectors. Both the Nettleton and OWA Colts have the Cartouche (OWA or HN) on the left side of the wood grip.
The largest group of U.S. Colt Cavalry revolvers was inspected by David F. Clark; his D.F.C. cartouche will be encountered on revolvers inspected from 1880 to 1887. During the year 1893, the .45 U.S. Colt Single Action Army revolvers were retired by the Cavalry and replaced by the .38 Caliber Colt Model 1892 Double Action Army revolver. The .45 Single Action Army revolver was still a standard issue to the Infantry, Artillery, and other branches of the U.S. Army.
In 1895-96 the Government returned 2000 SAA revolvers to Colt to be Refurbished; 800 were issued to the New York Militia with the 7 1/2" barrel, and 1200 were altered to a barrel length of 5 1/2". In 1898, 14900 of the SAA were altered the same way by the Springfield Armory. The original record of the War Department does refer to these revolvers with the Shortened barrel as the "Altered Revolver". The name "Artillery" is actually a misnomer, maybe because the light artillery happened to be the first units to be armed with the altered revolver.
The Artillery Single Action was issued to the Infantry, the Light Artillery, the Volunteer Cavalry, and other troops because the standard issue .38 caliber Colt M1892 Double-Action revolver was lacking stopping power. For that reason, the .45 Artillery SAA Revolvers were used successfully by front troops in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill wielding the .45 caliber Artillery Model.
The Artillery Model usually had mixed numbers. The U.S. can identify it on the frame, the inspector's stamps on different parts (such as a tiny A for Orville W. Ainsworth, DFC, HN, RAC for later inspectors and K for replacement parts) and the cartouche of Rinaldo A.Carr (RAC), the inspector who inspected the refurbished grips on these firearms.
Contents:
This example remains in Excellent condition with crisp attractive brown patina overall characteristic of period use and will ship with a written history of the SAA from the owner.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: Single Action Army
Serial: 14913
Date of Manufacture: 1874
Caliber: .45 Colt
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 4 3/4"
Optics/Sights: Blade front / Notch rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth walnut
Action: Single-Action
Markings: Standard / Left side of frame stamped "US" with a two line patented "Pat.Sept.19.1871 Pat.July.2.1872" date, "45 CAL" over a "B" stamped above trigger, Bottom of grips stamped "R.A.C." and bottom of frame stamped "A 14913"
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
This is certainly the pinnacle of Colt collection, the most desirable gun inspected by the desirable inspector. Ainsworth inspected Colts are the first of the US Colt Single Action Army's, seen only through serial number 14998 and rarely seen today. These guns were frequently rebuilt in arsenals and are seldom encountered in their original condition. This gun has all matching serial numbers.
Few Colts have remained in their original condition as this one, even fewer are US marked, and only a handful are Ainsworth inspected. This is truly a jewel for any Collection.
The OWA colt refers to the earliest issued Single Action Army guns which Orville W. Ainsworth inspected. Ainsworth was the ordnance sub-inspector at the Colt factory for the first 13 months (Oct.1873 to Nov.1874) of the Single Action Army's production. It was Ainsworth who inspected the Colts used by Col. G.A. Custer's 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The number range of possible Little Bighorn Colt is 4500-7527.
Henry Nettleton was the U.S. Principal Sub-inspector in 1878 at the Springfield Armory. Second only to the OWA colts, Nettleton Colts are prized by serious collectors. Both the Nettleton and OWA Colts have the Cartouche (OWA or HN) on the left side of the wood grip.
The largest group of U.S. Colt Cavalry revolvers was inspected by David F. Clark; his D.F.C. cartouche will be encountered on revolvers inspected from 1880 to 1887. During the year 1893, the .45 U.S. Colt Single Action Army revolvers were retired by the Cavalry and replaced by the .38 Caliber Colt Model 1892 Double Action Army revolver. The .45 Single Action Army revolver was still a standard issue to the Infantry, Artillery, and other branches of the U.S. Army.
In 1895-96 the Government returned 2000 SAA revolvers to Colt to be Refurbished; 800 were issued to the New York Militia with the 7 1/2" barrel, and 1200 were altered to a barrel length of 5 1/2". In 1898, 14900 of the SAA were altered the same way by the Springfield Armory. The original record of the War Department does refer to these revolvers with the Shortened barrel as the "Altered Revolver". The name "Artillery" is actually a misnomer, maybe because the light artillery happened to be the first units to be armed with the altered revolver.
The Artillery Single Action was issued to the Infantry, the Light Artillery, the Volunteer Cavalry, and other troops because the standard issue .38 caliber Colt M1892 Double-Action revolver was lacking stopping power. For that reason, the .45 Artillery SAA Revolvers were used successfully by front troops in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill wielding the .45 caliber Artillery Model.
The Artillery Model usually had mixed numbers. The U.S. can identify it on the frame, the inspector's stamps on different parts (such as a tiny A for Orville W. Ainsworth, DFC, HN, RAC for later inspectors and K for replacement parts) and the cartouche of Rinaldo A.Carr (RAC), the inspector who inspected the refurbished grips on these firearms.
Contents:
This example remains in Excellent condition with crisp attractive brown patina overall characteristic of period use and will ship with a written history of the SAA from the owner.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $65.00
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Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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