The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as one of 20 guns of this type in a shipment to Hartley & Graham in New York City on April 12, 1884 in .45 caliber with 4 3/4 inch barrel, "Soft" finish, and rubber stock. The remarks state, "The word 'soft' which appears with the finish indicates the frame and gate were not casehardened when this arm was shipped from the factory and the parts were left in a soft condition for engraving outside our factory." The revolver has classic L.D. Nimschke style New York engraving consisting of scroll patterns with beaded backgrounds and "Nimschke stars." Cuno Helfricht and the factory engravers of the period also used similar patterns. The revolver is finished with nickel plating and fitted with checkered grips. This SAA would have certainly made for a stylish sidearm for the Easterner heading west to fulfill cowboy aspirations. By the 1880s, promises of cheap land and prosperity lured many East Coast natives to migrate westward, made easier by the transcontinental railroad. The barrel has a blade front sight and the two-line address. The frame has the three-line patent marking. The trigger guard is marked "45 CAL" on the left side of the bow. The matching serial number is marked on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.

Very good displaying a classic appearance of a well-travel sidearm while retaining 30% of the period Hartley & Graham applied nickel finish in and around the sheltered areas. The engraving is crisp on the right side of the revolver, otherwise is worn but well-defined overall. The grips show similar working gun character with wear associated with spending a lifetime in the hand. Mechanically excellent. A well used but well maintained weapon befitting of a sidearm carried by flamboyant Easterner or settler heading West.