The factory letter list this period engraved SAA as one of fifty guns of this type in a shipment to famed New York retailer Hartley & Graham on April 11, 1884, in .45 caliber with 4 3/4 inch barrel, nickel finish, and hard rubber stocks. The revolver has classic L.D. Nimschke style New York engraving consisting of scroll patterns with punch dot backgrounds, and wavy line designs and accents. Cuno Helfricht and the factory engravers of the period also used similar patterns. The revolver wears a set of pearl grips with the right panel featuring a relief carved steer head. From its Hartley & Graham engraving to its steer head carved pearl grips, this Colt SAA radiates late 19th century wealth and the personal touches for any affluent cattle rancher looking for a status symbol carried at the hip. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top. The frame has the three-line patent date marking on the left side. The trigger guard is marked "45 CAL" on the left side. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.

Very good displaying a smooth gray patina associated with a sidearm that spent a lifetime of service in a challenging environment proving that not all art hangs on the wall with slight traces of original nickel finish in the protected areas. The engraving is crisp. The grips are excellent with crisp carving and attractive colors. Mechanically excellent. A New York engraved, relief steer head carved pearl stocked Colt Single Action Army revolver that has a story to tell!