A gold standard in Colt and fine high art firearms collecting, this factory engraved and inscribed SAA revolver has a story to tell and is certainly worthy of the finest collection. It is a stunning example of custom Colt artistry of the inter-war period done in the hand of Colt Master Engraver Wilbur Glahn. The floral scroll engraving on this Colt SAA is consistent with other revolvers cut by Glahn. Note in particular the "V" shape design behind the hammer which has been seen on other Glahn engraved Single Actions. See, for example, SAA no. 343242 as pictured in Wilson’s “The Book of Colt Engraving” (page 299) for a similar Glahn cut B grade coverage engraving and relief steer head carved grip. For no. 343242 the carved grip is also factory, and Wilson attributed the rare grip to Glahn. It is, therefore, reasonable to conclude that the carved grip worn by this SAA was also done by Glahn. This wonderful piece of steel canvas is pictured and identified in the aforementioned publication on page 302, where Wilson cites it as an example of Glahn’s work, noted “the rarity of a monogram on the butt (H.O.M.) and the hand inscribed marking [COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER] on the ejector tube,” and identified the original owner as H.O. Marietta of Des Plaines, Illinois. In addition, the revolver is pictured in Wilson’s “Colt Engraving” on page 389 and “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume Two” on page 573. Glahn executed the majority of Colt's factory engraving between 1919 and 1950, but only a select number of SAAs were engraved by Glahn since a significant percentage of the Single Action Army revolvers that were factory engraved were engraved before Glahn even arrived in Hartford. The H.O.M. initials are for Harry O. Marietta of Des Plaines, Illinois. As confirmed by his included business card, Marietta served as treasurer to the Chicago based land surveying company of Chicago Guarantee Survey Co. Additional information comes for a Des Plaines Public Library genealogy request. Marietta was active in Civic Affairs and was a member of the Board of the Des Plaines Park District. After his wife, Grace, died in 1952, Marietta married his widowed sister-in-law, Theresa. He died at the age of 83 in 1967. In 1961, our consignor purchased the revolver from dealer F. Theodore Dexter. In his accompanying letter Dexter recounts how this revolver first came to him as well as sheds light on the history behind the unusual “Colt Frontier Six Shooter” marking. He wrote, “In 1928, a Kansas City, MO businessman brought this Colt revolver to me. He said that he had ordered it, as he wanted to have a Colt just like his father had. The barrel on the left side is of course stamped “45 COLT” but on the ejector housing is ‘COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER.’ I explained that ‘Colt Frontier Six Shooter’ designated 44/40 calibre, and asked why he ordered this put on the ejector housing. He explained that the Colt his father had said ‘Colt Frontier Six Shooter’ on the barrel, and so when ordering, as he thought it was a .45, he had the Colt factory put the same lettering as was on his father’s Colt on the ejector housing.” Dexter did not buy the revolver in 1928, and did not see the revolver again until early 1961 when a man brought it to his California office. “I did not buy this Colt and lost track of it until yesterday when a man came to my office with it, MINT just as I had seen it in 1928, and wanted me to peddle it for him. Now that Colt traveled some to make its way from Kansas City, Missouri, to Los Angeles, Calif. It is, in line of being all original factory the best Single Action presentation Colt I have handled.” In 1961, Dexter was offering the revolver for sale at $500. How times have changed! The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was sold and shipped to famed Chicago retailer Von Lengerke & Antoine and confirms the 5 ½ inch barrel in .45 caliber, grip material, carved steer head on grip, and factory engraving with “H.O.M.” on butt. Although not documented in the factory letter, Wilson concluded the Marble Sheard 40 beaded blade front sight and ejector rod marking are factory special order features. The barrel, frame, cylinder flats, top and heel of the back strap, and trigger guard bow are decorated with floral scroll engraving with finely stippled background. The top of the ejector rod housing and rear of the cylinder are decorated with a simple snake line. As confirmed in the factory letter, the butt carries the engraved “H.O.M” initials. The side of the ejector rod housing is hand inscribed “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER,” a very unusual feature considering the marking was reserved for SAAs in .44-40 WCF and this SAA is chambered in .45 LC. As stated, the original silver Rampant Colt medallion grip features a relief steer head carved on the right panel. Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted that only "a few" SAAs had factory hand carved steer head motif grips. The back of the left grip panel is hand marked in ink “H.O. MARIETTA.” The back of the right grip panel is hand marked in ink “H.O. MARIETTA/DES PLAINES/ILL.” The left side of the barrel is marked “45 COLT” amongst the scrollwork. The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has the number “3” above the Colt factory triangle proof. The original Colt factory box is renumbered to the gun and has traces of an engraved label. Also included is a bore brush and “Shooting Suggestions” pamphlet. Other included items: two Von Lengerke catalogs (1923/24 and 1933) and a few receipts from the famed Chicago retailer, circa 1934. Provenance: Harry O. Marietta; F. Theodore Dexter; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection

Excellent, retaining 95% plus original blue with period modified front sight and some muzzle and high edge wear. The frame and hammer retain 98% of the vivid original case colors. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also excellent with crisp carving and highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with much of the end label remaining. The condition, factory engraving with initials of the identified original owner, factory carved steer head grips, and box makes for an undeniable rarity in Colt collecting that will be nearly impossible to improve upon.