1874) of the Single Action Army’s 1st production. A wonderful 1st year of production military gun, Ainsworth was the ordnance sub-inspector at the Colt factory for the first 13 months (Oct. Wood grips are excellent and the bore has a dark frosted appearance.
This gun was made during the 1st year of production in 1873 and has all matching 3digit serial numbers on the frame, barrel, back strap & cylinder.
45 Single Action Army made in 1873Ĭolt Single Action Army early 3 Digit Serial Number US Cavalry Revolver serial # 493, inspected ‘A’ by US Government Inspector O.W. A Historical showpiece.Īn Early ‘3 Digit Serial Number’ Colt. If a gun could talk this one would speak volumes of History. Thus, made from parts of the earliest Colt SAA made 1873-1874. An interesting and historical gun, the trigger guard is marked “A” for Ainsworth who inspected all the Custer guns, the frame is marked “U.S.” and the frame, trigger guard and backstrap all have matching serial #4758 which is in the Custer range of these pistols issued to the 7th Cavalry before the Battle of Little Big Horn, the barrel is numbered #347 and the cylinder #541. 45 Single Action Army made from 1874 US Cavalry marked “A”Ĭolt Single Action Army ‘Artillery Model’ Revolver serial # 347/541 & 4758, with mixed serial numbers as it was rebuilt from the Colt SAA with 7 1/2 “barrels that had been recalled by the US Army in 1895 and sent to the Colt factory to be converted into a short barreled “Artillery” pistol made up from parts of these Indian War cavalry pistols, they were used in the Spanish American War and carried by many of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders at San Juan Hill in Cuba.
Excellent 95% Colt Factory nickel-plate finish with Colt Factory “ampersand” on the right rear trigger guard indicating it was rebuilt at the Colt Factory, original hard rubber grips and an equally bright barrel. A Superb gun which has all matching serial numbers on the frame, barrel, back strap & cylinder.
Colt made only a few of these long barreled “Buntline Specials” beginning in 1876 with serial # 28800 -28830, most had “Flat-top” target style frames, these guns produced by Colt were made famous by Western folklore during the 19th Century beginning with Ned Buntline presenting one to Wyatt Earp in Dodge City, Kansas. made in 1895 serial #162341 black powder frame with a long 16“ bbl. (Accompanied by 3 letters: Colt Factory Letter / Larry Wilson Letter / Miller Family Letter)Ī Magnificent Colt Single Action Army factory nickel with a 16 inch barrelĬolt – “Buntline Special” a beautiful factory nickel-plated Colt Single Action Army. A remarkable showpiece of the famous Hero of the West, 6 items. Of all the Cody guns that exist this is among the finest and this is certainly the Show Stopper of them all! Accompanied by gunsmith Archie Miller’s records, photographs, a 1913 Cody Wild West Show poster and 2 Passes to the show signed by Cody for the gunsmith whom he had a long friendship with, Buffalo Bill’s Lariat case, a Scrimshawed souvenir Long Horn Steer horn from the 1913 show, also accompanied by the a Notarized Letter of Provenance from the gunsmiths daughter who inherited the gun and the accessories from her father, this gun from Cody was her dad’s favorite gun and she use to shoot with her dad at Rifle Matches so it is appropriate that he would pass his favorite gun on to his favorite daughter. Beautifully renickel plated, the grips were also carved by Helfricht. This is the first time that this gun has ever been publicly offered for sale as Cody received this gun from the Colt in 1878 and carried it throughout the 19th Century in the West.Ī striking Colt Single Action Army magnificently engraved by master engraver Cuno Helfricht.
Cody with his name beautifully engraved on it, then to his personal gunsmith Archie Miller then by descent to his daughter who later in life sold it privately to a collector. revolver purchased directly from the family of a famous gunsmith Archie Miller that personally received it from Cody in 1913 serial #52141 (serial #52193 Colt of this pair is on display in the Cody Museum reference 1988.9.1) Thus it has never been on the market before originally belonging to W.F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody beautiful nickel-plated Colt SAA. ‘Buffalo’ Bill Cody – Engraved Presentation Colt Single Action ArmyĪ Magnificent Highly Engraved & Nickel-Plated Colt Single Action Army Colt – W.F. Gary Hendershott The Finest Historical Items in the World