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SCARCE CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
SCARCE CUSTER RANGE COLT CAVALRY
SAA REVOLVER WITH KOPEC LETTER OF AUTHENTICITY. Cal. 45 Colt. S# 6713. This particular SAA was just added to the database July 2019. This gun falls into lot seven (no. 6157-7527). Group seven (issued in 1874) typically is considered outside the Custer S# range however there are at least 3 documented Custer seventh Cavalry guns in this group. There is little doubt that this gun was the property of a deserter of a U.S. Cavalry regiment as "US" markings have been purposefully removed. A deserter would not want to be found w/ evidence of a Government owned gun. This is a very nice example of a no doubt Indian War Cavalryman carried early SAA in original configuration w/ 7 1/2" bbl. w/ traces of original blue & case color having correct 1 line Hartford address. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: accompanying this gun is a detailed 2 page letter from well known Custer authority & historian John A. Kopec. CONDITION: all major portions of this gun are original & overall in very good condition. The only items not original to its 1874 mfg. would be a replaced 2nd style ejector housing & the base pin screw has been changed to a knurled cap screw, which is a most interesting alteration. S#'s are found on bbl., frame, trigger guard, backstrap & inked inside backstrap channel of grip. As noted previously, the inspector cartouche on left grip has been scratched off. Grips have fine hand worn patina overall including area where inspection was removed, chipped inside left front toe, light tacking marks. Ainsworth "A" sub inspector marks are found on bbl., trigger guard, cyl. & backstrap. The "A" on cyl. is only partially seen as there is a distinct gouge mark removing it. Left side of frame has 2 line patent markings & did have "U.S.", signifying government ownership, but both letters have been obliterated leaving just the periods behind the 2 letters. Whoever stole this gun from the U.S. Cavalry took good care of it as it still has crisp action & a crisp rifled bore. (01-16836/JS). ANTIQUE. $10,000-15,000.