Manufactured in 1881, with a blade front sight, top strap groove rear sight, "45 CAL" on the left side of the trigger guard, "H 5 5 B" on the rear of the cylinder, "79" on the loading gate, serial number at the toe, a period nickel plated finish, "B" and "6W" under the left grip, a lanyard loop on the butt, and carved grips with an "RB" monogram and "Gl. Rafael Buelna Estado de Sinaloa" inscribed on the left panel and a liberty cap and a golden eagle, snake, and cactus motif based on the Coat of Arms of Mexico on the right panel. Information on General Rafael Buelna Tenorio (1890-1924) accompanies the revolver. He was kicked out of school for demonstrating against the Porfirian governor in 1909 and led the local Democratic Club supporting Madero and leading and reporting on protests. He joined the Mexican Revolution as a combatant by pulling a pistol on his rental driver and then taking the hijacked car loaded with arms ammunition with his friend Enrique Estrada to Tepic and became a colonel under Martin Espinoza. After Madero rose to power, he returned to school before rejoining the ever-changing Mexican Revolution in 1913 as a general in Pancho Villa's famous Division del Norte and captured Tepic and became the area's political leader and also captured Rosario that same year. He moved to the United States after Villa's defeat by Obregon in 1915. He returned in 1919, but he was soon brought back into the fray when President Carranza attempted to hold onto power after the end of his term. He captured Lazaro Cardenas del Rio and then released him and was killed in an ambush in 1924 during the Delahuertista Rebellion. He is well-remembered and honored in his home state of Sinaloa and was the subject of the 2013 film "Ciudadano Buelna" (Citizen Buelna) directed by Felipe Cazals. The General Rafael Buelna Heliport in Mocorito, Sinaloa, Mexico, is named for him.

Very fine with 98% plus period re-plated nickel remaining, traces of the barrel markings, mostly distinct markings elsewhere, replaced cylinder pin, and minor marks and scratches. The grips are also very fine and have crisp, beautifully executed inscriptions and carving, attractive natural grain and aged tones, and minor age lines. Mechanically fine.