.44-40 W.C.F. chambered "Frontier Six Shooter" revolvers are particularly iconic variations of the Colt Single Action Army as they are widely associated with cowboys and lawmen in the West who carried them as their sidearms alongside their Model 1873 Winchesters. This Colt Frontier Six Shooter revolver is a true work of American art and dates to 1937 more than sixty years after the iconic Single Action Army revolvers began making their way to the American West. For most of that period, Cuno Helfricht was the head of the engraving department at Colt, and this piece reflects his lasting influence and was engraved by his successor: Wilbur Glahn who engraved at Colt c. 1919-1950. America's love affair with the Single Action Army has continued to endure decade after decade thanks to its use by tough men and women in the American West as well as by the U.S. military and iconic heroes on the silver screen. It is certainly one of the most famous of all firearms, and the relatively small number of Colt Single Action Army revolvers that were factory embellished remain among the most romantic and desirable of all collectible firearms. Though highly sought after today, the popularity of engraved firearms decreased in the late 19th century and into the 20th century. R.L. Wilson in "The Colt Engraving Book, Volume One" wrote, "The grand total of engraved Single Action Army revolvers (excluding the Bisley Model and Flattop Target Model) from 1873 through 1940 is approximately 3,000." Of those, he estimated 2,550 where engraved during Helfricht's time at Colt. That leaves less than 500 for subsequent years when Wilbur Glahn took over. Others estimate as many as 4,500 engraved Single Action Army revolvers prior to World War II, but that still accounts for only approximately 1.26% of production. Some have been lost to time, and very few remain in nearly pristine condition like our current piece, a masterpiece of American firearms engraved by Wilbur Glahn and blending his distinctive style with the earlier patterns established by Helfricht. The revolver was purchased by Brig Pemberton from Marty Lane in 1996 and is featured on page 581 of "The Colt Engraving Book, Volume Two" by R.L. Wilson as "one of the finest of all guns engraved by Wilbur Glahn, and the finest in .44-40 caliber known to the author. C engraved but appearing to be in a more deluxe than customary manner. Rare transition engraving showing influences by Cuno Helfricht. 7 1/2-inch barrel. Blue and case-hardened finish. Engraving documented in Colt factory production records; listed under the date February 4th 1937." A letter from Wilson also accompanies the revolver in which he indicates he was only aware of two Glahn-engraved Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army revolvers and that revolvers with the transitional style engraving featuring both Glahn's work and reflecting Helfricht's earlier style are "quite scarce." Wilson further wrote: "The Wilbur Glahn-engraved Colt Single Action Army No. 355603 is a unique example in the author's experience in studying the artistic output of this important engraver. The revolver is distinctively a masterpiece of Colt factory engraving, especially when considering Glahn's limited output. With its 7 1/2-inch barrel, the scarce and equally desirable .44-40 caliber, the deluxe engraving (documented in the factory production ledgers, the Colt medallion ivory grips, and the exquisitely preserved condition (with original bluing and case hardening, all in unfired state), No. 355603 will be featured in the forthcoming Colt Engraving-III book, as well as in the new "The Book of Colt Firearms- Volume II. This rare and exquisite revolver is worthy of the finest museum or private collection of American firearms, whether or not that collection concentrates specifically on Colt." The revolver features the classic full-length 7 1/2 inch barrel with a rounded square back blade front sight "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER .44-40" in an engraved panel on the left side, the one-line Hartford address in a coordinating panel on top, and extensive scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds. The ejector head features a star between two arrows, and the housing is engraved with vine-like motif on the upper flute that is also featured along the rear of the cylinder and on the frame and a flourish of scrollwork with a beaded background on the right. The frame features gadroon patterns along the top strap, a cross-hatched motif on either side at the front, primarily scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds, the two-line patent marking and Rampant Colt trademark on the left, and arrow motifs a the rear by the hammer well and extending onto the top of the back strap. These arrows coordinate with the ejector rod head as well as the designs at the rear of each cylinder flute. The cylinder features complex gadroon, line, and scroll engraving between the flutes. The trigger guard features coordinating scroll engraving, and the back strap features gadroon patterns along with "V" accents at the top followed by scrollwork and then entwining line designs towards the butt and a "wheat chaff" design along the butt. Matching serial numbers are on the frame and right side of the grip straps under the grip, and the matching partial serial number "03" is marked on the barrel and cylinder. Assembly number "361" is on the loading gate, and "4" is marked over the "VP" proof on the left side of the trigger guard. The grips have silver Colt medallions. Provenance: The Marty Lane Collection; The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection

Mint.