This is a true piece of history, a 4-digit Ainsworth Inspected U.S. Colt Single Action Army Revolver from the U.S. 5th Cavalry, noted as being captured by Northern Cheyenne Chief Comes in Sight. The revolver is an honest United States government contracted, U.S. marked Colt Single Action Army Model 1873 with the very desirable O.W. Ainsworth's "A" inspector mark found on the trigger guard, barrel, cylinder, and back strap. Ainsworth physically inspected SAA revolvers are recorded in the serial number range 200 through 14343. This was the first major block of U.S. Cavalry revolvers. This revolver is noted as being in the range issued to U.S. 5th Cavalry. The revolver has the matching “7836” serial number, manufactured in 1874, on the frame, trigger guard, butt, cylinder, under the ejector on the barrel and written on the backstrap of the grips, all matching.
In addition to the obvious U.S. 5TH Cavalry Ainsworth obvious marks and provenance the revolver was found to be marked with Togia Lakota language by expert Wendell Grangaard from the Guns of History. As shown on Illustration 2 the grip is marked “Comes In Sight – rode with Crazy Horse and on Illustration 1 “Comes In Sight – (signature mark and Battle Marks)” on the left and right side of the grips. Comes In Sight was a great Northern Cheyenne Chief. He fought at the Rosebud Battle on Jun 17, 1876 and at the Battle of the Little Bighorn with Crazy Horse. In September 1876, while camped on Moreau River news came to Crazy Horse and Comes In Sight that American Horse was under attack. Comes In Sight’s Northern Cheyenne and Crazy Horse’s Oglala left to rescue American Horse at Slim Buttes, riding together into U.S. Major Julius Mason and the 5th Cavalry. During this fight it is noted that three men of the U.S. 5TH Cavalry were wounded or killed; Sergeant Edmund Schrieber, Company K and Private August Dorn, Company D. were severely wounded and Private Kennedy, Company C was killed. It is not certain which member the gun was taken from but it is noted in the Winter Count recorded history that this revolver (S/N 7836) was picked up by Comes In Sight when he dismounted and then danced around in a circle, remounting his horse and riding away while bullets flew around him. Comes In Sight surrendered in 1877 and was sent to Oklahoma where he lived out his life.
A print out of John A. Kopec and H. Sterling Fenn’s “Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers” is included which shows #7733 Troop “C” 5th Cavalry, just near our example and also “Lakota Noon – The Indian Narrative of Custer’s Defeat” by Gregory F. Michno which notes about Comes In Sights exploits during the Greasy Grass.
This is truly a history four-digit early U.S. marked Ainsworth marked and inspected 5th Cavalry Colt Single Action Army in .45 caliber in all original condition being serial number 7836 matching, “A” an “P” proof inspected, original matching serial number grips and barrel. The barrel is single line marked on top with “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.” and on the side of the frame,” PAT. SEPT. 19. 1871 PAT. JULY. 2. 1872.” and “U.S.” Antique firearm NO FFL.