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Colt 1873 SAA "Cavalry" .45 LC SN: 13026

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Colt 1873 SAA  Cavalry  .45 LC SN: 13026
Rare "Virginia Fracas" Revolver. U.S. contract Colt Single Action Cavalry Model revolver that was manufactured in 1874 and inspected by Orville W. Ainsworth. The revolver has the Colt military blue finish on the barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap. The frame, loading gate and hammer are color case-hardened. The one-piece walnut grip is oil finished. This revolver has the distinctive features and markings of early production, Ainsworth inspected, Single Action revolvers: (1) the barrel is roll-stamped with the first style 'Script' address with slanted crosses at either end, (2) the first style ejector housing has a barrel boss dowel and bullseye ejector rod head, (3) the cylinder has small stops and guides, (4) the frame is roll-stamped with the early Colt "Two-Line/Two-Date" patent markings followed by a small "U.S." property mark, and (5) the "A" (Ainsworth) sub-inspection mark is stamped on the underside of the barrel, side of the cylinder, trigger guard, and the back strap . Small "P" proof marks are stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. The lower left side of the grip has the faint outline the Ordnance inspection "OWA" cartouche. (the right side of the grip is, correctly, not stamped with an inspection mark). The full serial number, "13026" is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap and the partial serial number, "3026" is stamped on the underside of the barrel beneath the ejector housing and on the side of the cylinder. All of the visible serial numbers match. Copper colored ejector rod spring. The loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "450" The cylinder face is stamped with small "N"& "O". Round ejector rod head ('Contoured Donut') This is one of 2,307 Colt Army revolvers that the state of Virginia ordered “for the militia” in 1874 under the Militia Act of 1808. (Serial Numbers 1170-14300) In fact, it was two separate orders, one for 769 and the other for exactly double the number: 1,538. Even before the receipt of these pieces word got round to Colt’s Mfg. that someone claiming to have the revolvers was in New York City trying to sell them for significantly less than Colt’s: $8.00 rather than $14.40. Their angst would seem to be justified as none other than General George Edward Pickett (of Confederate general Civil War fame) confirmed that they had ordered the weapons and that made arrangements to sell them on behalf of the Governor of Virginia, James L. Kemper. For the full story read Chapter XLIV entitled “The Virginia Fracas” in A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver by Graham, Kopec, & Moore as well as Chapter 12: The Condemned, Overrun and Buy-Back Revolvers in Kopec & Fenn’s book Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers…A Continuing Study. This was a well-documented scandal that eventually would bring changes in the law surrounding state requisitions for their militias; inquiries at the time would go all the way to the Secretary of War as well as the United States Attorney General. In short, these revolvers were eventually supplied to Virginia (though they were initially delayed), who immediately sold them to their agent without them ever having been issued. The agent sold them, in turn, and it appears that Colt’s bought them back at a discount from what they had initially sold them for with the intent to sell them commercially themselves. It made sense from a business perspective to buy something and have a ready mark-up for resale, but it also made sense for them not to let the market be flooded with their product, also government inspected and marked, for nearly half of the going price. However, there was some consternation in simply turning around and selling these revolvers in their current format with all their government markings on them, the concern being centered around private ownership of government property and the very real possibility that someone could get in trouble for such. Therefore, many of these SAAs were nickel plated and some were restocked in ivory, and had the barrels shortened, This revolver remained in it's original configuration and finish. The metal finish is gone having turned a gray/brown patina, grip is very good, marking are crisp/clear, bore is very good, strong rifling, action is crisp & smooth, all 4 clicks, fairly tight lock up, let-off is a bit stiff. The top of the hammer appears to had been cleaned at some point. NRA Condition-Very Good as Antique Firearm