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