Inspector Series production numbers?

[LonesomePigeon]

The recent thread showing an Ainsworth apparently selling for $3950 really got me wondering how many of these Inspector Series guns were made. I think there were 4 basic models, the Nettleton, the Ainsworth, the Custer Battlefield and an Artillery. Was it dozens, hundreds or thousands? Just a rough estimate for each model would be nice.

[Buckaroo Lou]

I don't think the Custer Battlefield Gun was actually a Government Insector Series model but was a model all its on. The four Insector Series Guns were Henry Nettleton, Orville Ainsworth, David Clark, and Rinaldo Carr, and you could get them in either the cavalry (7 1/2") or the artillary (5 1/2") model. I have never seen either a Clark or Carr model and I have seen only the one Ainsworth model that I posted about.

Gary Granger could sure shed some light on this subject.

[Coffinmaker]

I would think, and would hope, the seller did not actually realize that $3950 asking price.  I realize there are people with more disposable funds than brains, but that was/is an insane asking price.

I have no real input for the OP.  No interest in collecting USFA.

[Tascosa Joe]

I had a Custer Battlefield.  It was an Ainsworth.  I sold it to a friend 10 yrs ago.

[Black_Talon]

I would think, and would hope, the seller did not actually realize that $3950 asking price.  I realize there are people with more disposable funds than brains, but that was/is an insane asking price.

I have no real input for the OP.  No interest in collecting USFA.

How about this Nettleton at $5580 with 5 hours to go. Am I missing something here?

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/973973173

[Buckaroo Lou]

WOW, I guess someone wants it really bad.

[CJS57]

I sold one for $4,000, Mint in the box and all USA. That is the new price level like it or not.

[Buckaroo Lou]

I sold one for $4,000, Mint in the box and all USA. That is the new price level like it or not.

I have always held that the value of any firearm or anything for that matter is what someone is willing to pay for it. My purchasing a firearm is always based on how baddly I want it and what I am willing to give up in order to own it.

[Dave T]

I have always held that the value of any firearm or anything for that matter is what someone is willing to pay for it. My purchasing a firearm is always based on how baddly I want it and what I am willing to give up in order to own it.

I agree with Lou on this one.  I love the late production (all US sourced parts) single action revolvers from USFA, particularly the "black powder frame" versions.  Although I have more than enough (lol) there's a couple more I would like to have, particularly their version of the "Frontier Six Shooter" chambered for the 44 WCF cartridge.  Unfortunately the USFA guns are now priced beyond what I am willing to pay.  The last one I saw for sale was priced close to $3K and it wasn't the BP frame I would have preferred.  I'm just not going to spend that kind of money.  My guns are all shot, mostly with black powder. They are not left in the safe to be pristine for someone else when I pass.

Dave

[CJS57]

Many collectors have their own price range that they will pay. But there is still an open market and the prevailing prices are seen in that market. Prices ranges are set by the market not by what individuals are willing to pay. Inspector series used to be in the $1200 to $1500 range. Not anymore. Now $4000 to $5000. Market prices.

[Coffinmaker]

That may well be "The Way of It" in the USFA world, but that is still INSANE!!

I must find those guys.  I have some Bridges I want to sell . . . . . . 

[Dave T]

Coffinmaker never passes up a chance to knock the USFA guns and the people who like them.

Coffinmaker, if you don't like them then don't buy one, problem solved.  Then you can quit complaining about what other people do.  It's growing tiresome.

Dave

[RRio]

Then you can quit complaining about what other people do.  It's growing tiresome.

Dave

It really is. 

[Pangaea]

A little off topic here, but last fall I was at the Tulsa gun show as well as others before it and I could not find a single USFA for sale.  Has anyone else noticed this?

[Winch61]

This conversation appears to have wained from its original direction.  I have a Ainsworth 668# and at one point had a Custer as well #6688.   Stupidly let the Custer go so I picked up another one 662#. I too am curious as to the production quantity of the Gov Inspector Series. Pretty sure the Custer was just an Ainsworth with the antique finish, nothing different about the guns themselves.  Maybe this info is lost to time already, or no one wants to divulge it as the mystery keeps the prices up? 

As a side note, I picked up a Colt 1873 Anniversary that were made in in 1973-1975.  These too were suppose to copy the Ainsworth inspected guns.  I sold it within six months. Was such a huge disappointment compared to the USFA Ainsworth. Action was clunky, just didn't feel right.  My father has a SAA of 1874, potentially a Virginia Fracas gun, and it feels more like the USFA than that Colt.

Is GaryG still around to shed light on the quantity issue? 

Thanks

[Coffinmaker]

Oh Gee Dave 

Allow me to apologize for treading on your favorites.  Howz about the next time, I wear Golf Shoes instead of sneakers??  You don't have to like my Opinions.  I really don't expect you to.  But I do reserve the right to express them.  So, get over yourself.