Extremely Early Colt Single Action Army Cavalry Model Ainsworth (12348112)(DTX)

Serial number 240. Made in 1874. 45 LC caliber with a 7 ½” barrel. This gun is a nice sharp gun with hardly any of the original finish remaining. Only traces of case colors appear in the protected areas. Grips are very good and show the cartouche on the left hand side. The butt of this gun has the name “ED SHAW” lightly scratched into the butt. There is a letter from one of the original owners explaining that he scratched his name in the butt when the gun belonged to his father and he was 12 years old. This is a significant gun due to how early it is being only serial number 240 and the fact that it is completely original. The first Ainsworth inspect guns appear around serial number 180. There are reports as low as serial number 162 as being the first Ainsworth inspected gun and serial number 179 is verified as being a true Ainsworth inspected guns. Most of the early guns were made into artillery models, so very of these early guns remain in the original cavalry configuration. This gun comes with a letter from noted Colt Single Action expert John Kopec confirming the authenticity of this gun. He also speculates this gun could have been issued to the 6th cavalry. Mr. Kopec awarded this gun the coveted Gold Seal reserved for only the best US Martial Colts he examines. This is likely a once in a life time opportunity to have a Martial Colt Single Action Army this early and this authentic! Dallas Location