Few firearms are more synonymous with the American west than the Colt Single Action Army revolver, and this example is attributed to a true city marshal of the frontier, in Visalia, California. A notarized letter dated 1993 signed by J. Kenneth Rowland lists this revolver by serial number and states that it belonged to his father Charles E. "Edward" Rowland, who was the city marshal of Visalia, California and traveled to Alaska in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush. "Ed" Rowland arrived in California in 1877 and settled at Soda Springs, now known as Springville. Around 1880, the family moved to Visalia where they initially operated a wagon shop. In 1898, Rowland caught "gold fever" and headed to Alaska to take part in the Klondike gold rush. Him and his party stuck gold and eventually pulled nearly $10,000 worth of it out, half of which went to the owner of the stake. The party returned most of the way to California by boat, experiencing heavy weather along the way, which led to rumors that Rowland had been lost at sea. Upon his return, Ed married and joined his father-in-law's bakery business. In 1913, Rowland was encouraged to run for city marshal of Visalia and won. In one documented instance, Rowland was responding to a battery report at the railroad, and discovered a large group of "tramps" there, who soon grabbed sticks and stones and "started after the marshal". The newspaper article states that Rowland drew his gun, possibly this one, and ordered all 32 of the assailants to march down the street to the jail. Surprisingly, they all complied, and the initial three involved in the battery were placed in cells. Rowland worked as the city marshal of Visalia until 1923. This revolver was manufactured in 1896, and was likely carried by Rowland to the Klondike. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration and lists shipment to Henry C. Squires & Sons on 20 February 1896. The top of the barrel is marked with the single-line address and the caliber marking is on the left. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the assembly number "997" is marked inside the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove rear sight, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the tops. Included along with the factory letter and notarized letter are various documents and newspaper clippings related to Ed Rowland.

Fine, showing a mixture of grey and brown patina and all the character of the American Frontier, with some scattered patches of minor pitting. The cylinder pin has been replaced. The well-worn grips are good, showing years of use as a frontier sidearm. Mechanically excellent. A Single Action Army that's full of character and documented to a marshal of the Old West!