LOT #40062 |
Sold on Jun 9, 2025 for: Not Sold
U.S. Colt Artillery Single Action Army Revolver Inspected by Ainsworth with Kopec Letter.. ...
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Description
......George Keyes Procures 47 Revolvers to Conceal Losses from his brother Capt. A.S.B. Keyes' Command
U.S. Colt Artillery Single Action Army Revolver Inspected by
Ainsworth with Kopec Letter.Serial no. 11354 [frame], 49166 [triggerguard], 5605 [cylinder] and 116532 / "G" [butt], .45 caliber, 5 1/2-inch barrel with fixed front sight and frame notch rear sight. Blued and case-hardened finish. Top of barrel marked: COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. Two-line two-date patent and U.S. to left side of frame. 1382 and O / G / K [on barrel under missing loading gate]. R.A.C / P inspector marks to base of barrel and frame. A inspector marks to cylinder. Smooth walnut one-piece grip. Manufactured in 1874. Gun comes with a two-page Kopec Letter. Images of the letter will be available online, here below are some written highlights of the letter.
Kopec states "The frame of this revolver was of course manufactured in 1874 and was part of a revolver which was Ordnance Sub-Inspected by O.W. Ainsworth. The cylinder too was sub-inspected by this same inspector in 1873. The backstrap of this revolver #116532 was part of a Cavalry revolver which was made in 1885 and sud-inspected by David F. Clark. The barrel of this example was originally from a revolver manufactured in 1891 and sub-inspected by Rinaldo A. Carr. The original serial number of that revolver was #131382. The most significant part of this revolver is the triggerguard which bears the serial number 49166. This triggerguard was originally from a revolver which was purchased as a civilian replacement revolver from the Colt Factory by George J. Keyes. It seems that George Keyes was commissioned by his brother Capt. A.S.B. Keyes to purchase 47 replacement revolvers for those wither lost or stolen from his command. This was done in an effort to "cover up" this loss, and the revolvers were then sent to Capt. Keyes and were found to in stores when an investigation of this matter surfaced". See page 467 of A Study of the Single Action Army Revolver by Graham, Kopec and Moore for the entire story related to the "cover-up", Kopec book is included. Kopec ends the letter with "This revolver appears to be original as issued as an Artillery revolver except for the frame which has been reblued and the grips which are civilian replacements".....Signed John A. Kopec.
Condition: Very good as configured and refurbished. Barrel with scattered patches of pitting. Cylinder, triggerguard and backstrap with moderate patches of pitting. Loading gate missing. Dings, scuffs and bruising present to wood. Action crisp., bore good.
Auction Info
2025 June 9 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6320 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2025
9th
Monday
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