This Colt Single Action Army revolver has two Colt factory letters dated 1979 and 1985. Both letters describe Single Action serial number "1853" as caliber .22 with 7 1/2-inch barrel, nickel finish and "rubber" grips. Both letters state that this revolver was shipped to the Bandle Arms Co, in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 21, 1889. These revolvers are in a special serial number block between serial number 1689 and serial number 1892. Surviving .22 RF Single Action revolvers are rare. According to "The Official Records of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895" by Wilkerson and Hoyt, only 19 Colt Single Actions were produced in this configuration in the .44 RF serial number sequence (page 389). This revolver has the distinctive rimfire frame with rectangular firing pin aperture used on .44 RF and .22 RF revolvers and special hammer with rimfire firing pin. The ejector rod has the 'oval' head introduced around 1885. The revolver has a nickel-plated finish with niter blue screws. The two piece, black, hard rubber grips are checkered and have the Rampant Colt trademark in an oval at the top and the Eagle and Shield motif at the bottom. "22 CAL" is stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the left front trigger guard bow. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the Fourth Style address: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S. A." in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt 'Three-Date/Three-Line' patent dates. The assembly number "184" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. A "C" inspection mark is stamped in the hammer well below the firing pin aperture. The serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap.