While many famous figures carried factory engraved Colt Single Action Revolvers in the late 19th century and early 20th century, by even the most liberal estimates, only 4,500 out of 357,859 or around 1.26% of the total First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolvers manufactured were engraved. They are among the most desirable of all collectible firearms, especially examples executed personally by Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht such as this high condition example with additional special order features such as the beautiful steer head carved grip on this revolver. The factory letter lists this beautiful Colt Single Action Army Revolver in .45 caliber with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, factory engraving, and the antique ivory grip. The revolver was the sole gun of this type in a shipment on the Loan Account sent to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. in Chicago, Illinois, on February 28, 1910. The revolver was returned on April 14, 1910, and the final disposition of the revolver and the carving were not mentioned in the records. The revolver was clearly sent to Chicago for promotional purposes given it was shipped on the Loan Account and returned to the factory. At the time, Chicago was the second largest city in the country and fifth largest in the entire world and was growing fast, and Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. were among the largest hardware retailers. They trademarked the True Value brand still widely seen across the country today. The revolver is also accompanied by a letter from Tommy Rholes indicating he had purchased the revolver from Roy Clayton and that it had been his father's gun. Clayton indicated his father, Charles Peach Clayton, had won it in a poker game in Oklahoma. Talk about a sweet pot! Rholes noted, "The engraving on this Colt is different from any I've ever seen and, in my opinion, some of the best that Colt offered." We certainly agree. The engraving is particularly fine and consists primarily of classic American scrollwork with beaded backgrounds but also includes a variety of other border and accent designs, some in the classic wavy line and dot fashion along with two different checkered panels on the frame at the breech, floral blooms, and interesting chevron-esque borders at the barrel address and top strap. The barrel also features a blade front sight and the one-line "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." address on top and the "45 COLT" caliber designation in an engraved banner on the left. The frame has the two-line patent marking on the left, and the left side of the trigger guard has the triangular "VP" proof and a "W". The revolver's serial number, "311401", dates to 1909, and matching serial numbers are stamped on the cylinder (partial "1401"), frame, trigger guard, and butt. The assembly number "1400" is on the loading gate. The two-piece grips have a raised relief steer head carved on the right panel and a blind screw on the left panel. Provenance: Charles Peach Clayton; Roy Clayton; The Tommy Rholes Collection; The Gateway Collection