Ainsworth?

[jphendren]

Hello everybody,

I am a new poster to CASCITY, but have been reading the forums here for years.  I am a long time SAA fan who purchased a genuine Colt SAA back in 1997.  I still have it, but would like an SAA that is more correct for the 1870's time frame.  As you are probably aware, Colt does not offer anything like this, so I have been toying with the idea of buying an Ainsworth for several years.  I normally like to buy guns made by the company that made them famous, but there is no denying that USFA's look VERY nice.  I was able to handle several pre-wars at a gunshow a few years back, and I was impressed.  Anyways, what I would like is a Custer Battlefield, but with a new gun look, ala the Inspector Series.  I don't see that exact gun listed on USFA's website.  When I go into my dealer, how do I explain to him what to order?  Custer Battlefield rollmarks and features, but with Armory Blue and CCH.

On a side note, are the new Old Armory Original Series more accurate to the 1870's than the Ainsworth?  I notice that the Old Armory Original has the 1875 patent date, where as the Custer Battlefield does not.

Jared

[jdpress]

Jared:

Tell them you want the "Government Inspector Series" with the Government Inspector "Orville W. Ainsworth" 

USFA is currently making the "Government Inspector Series" with the Government Inspector "Henry Nettleton" in both 7-1/2 inch and 5-1/2 inch barrels, however, they did make some Orville W. Ainsworth models in 7-1/2 inch barrel about two years ago.

[jphendren]

I believe that read that I read with the Custer and I hope the Ainsworth, that you can select your own SN.  Is this true?  Anybody know which SN range the 7th Calvary carried at Little Boghorn?  I read on some website that it was approximately 200-8000 range. Anybody have more detailed information?

Jared

[SAAJim]

Jared,
I'm curious why you don't just call USFA and tell them what you want and see if they'll make it for you. All we can do is offer opinions and that doesn't move you forward much.

Jim

Hello everybody,

I am a new poster to CASCITY, but have been reading the forums here for years.  I am a long time SAA fan who purchased a genuine Colt SAA back in 1997.  I still have it, but would like an SAA that is more correct for the 1870's time frame.  As you are probably aware, Colt does not offer anything like this, so I have been toying with the idea of buying an Ainsworth for several years.  I normally like to buy guns made by the company that made them famous, but there is no denying that USFA's look VERY nice.  I was able to handle several pre-wars at a gunshow a few years back, and I was impressed.  Anyways, what I would like is a Custer Battlefield, but with a new gun look, ala the Inspector Series.  I don't see that exact gun listed on USFA's website.  When I go into my dealer, how do I explain to him what to order?  Custer Battlefield rollmarks and features, but with Armory Blue and CCH.

On a side note, are the new Old Armory Original Series more accurate to the 1870's than the Ainsworth?  I notice that the Old Armory Original has the 1875 patent date, where as the Custer Battlefield does not.

Jared

[jphendren]

"Jared,
I'm curious why you don't just call USFA and tell them what you want and see if they'll make it for you. All we can do is offer opinions and that doesn't move you forward much.

Jim"

Interestingly, I contacted two dealers today regarding the Ainsworth. " One replied:

"I spoke with the general mgr at USFA, an old friend..He just replied that they are out of the inspectors series and the Ainsworth"

So I'm not sure if that means they are no longer making them?

Another local gunshop a few miles from my house called Gary, and placed an order for one on my behalf, he was told "90 day build."  So, I hope that the local guy can come through, as I put 50% down to get it ordered.

Jared

[jdpress]

This is what the Ainsworth Inspector Series will look like:





J.D. Press

[jphendren]

Thanks for the images.  Beautiful revolver.

Mine should be completed on the 15th of June; did your also take 90 days to complete?  I notice that yours is serial number 6,7XX; I requested a low serial number and my dealer was told that they were on serial number 6,200-6,300 range at this time, seems that may be incorrect with yours being higher than that.  Anybody know if the Ainsworth/Custer Battlefield share serial numbers with any other USFA revolvers?

Jared

[jdpress]

Thanks for the images.  Beautiful revolver.

Mine should be completed on the 15th of June; did your also take 90 days to complete?  I notice that yours is serial number 6,7XX; I requested a low serial number and my dealer was told that they were on serial number 6,200-6,300 range at this time, seems that may be incorrect with yours being higher than that.  Anybody know if the Ainsworth/Custer Battlefield share serial numbers with any other USFA revolvers?

Jared

Jared:

I purchased mine used, but in mint condition, from an individual in Washington state.  However, I understand that USFA fills most special requests in 90-120 days so you should see yours in June.

I am not aware of any other USFA revolvers in this serial number range.  The lowest serial number I have seen for these models is 6626 and the highest is 6777.  Mike Venturo, the gun writer for American Handgunner magazine had a Custer Battlefield model made in 2005 with a special requested serial number of 1876.

You can request your own special serial number from USFA for a fee of $135, which does not seem unreasonable considering the serial number is stamped on this model at least five times; on the frame, trigger guard, backstrap, cylinder and hammer.

Independent of the serial number and the wait for delivery, you will love this revolver; it is beautiful and the quality is superb even by USFA's great standards!

J.D. Press