The included factory letter confirms that this revolver was in .38/40 with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, pearl grips with carved steer head, and class "C" engraving when it was the sole gun of its type in a shipment to Eagle Hardware Company in Eagle Pass, Texas, on July 27, 1933, in order #12411/1. The revolver features extraordinary scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds along with texturing applied to the remaining barrel surface to just past the front sight leading to approximately 90% coverage. The only unembellished surfaces are the cylinder flutes, hammer, trigger, and front strap. Wilbur Glahn executed the majority of Colt's factory engraving between 1919 and 1950. The barrel has the two-line address and patent markings on top and "NEW SERVICE 38 W.C.F." on the left. The frame is marked "L/338380/N", and the crane has the matching serial number. The Rampant Colt trade mark is on the left side of the frame in a panel formed by the engraving, and the pearl grips have silver Rampant Colt medallions and a raised relief carved steer head on the right. A 2007 notarized letter from John S. Jaime indicates this revolver along with Colt Single Action Army 341505 and Winchester Model 1894 carbine 938313 belonged to his father, Juan Jaime Hernandez, "who became Chief of Police, Mexico City and later the Commanding Officer of the 6th Military Zone, Mexico." He further indicates that these firearms were sold to John A. Kopec. Corporal John Schneider Jaime (1925-2022) was himself a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Iwo Jima. His father was General Juan Jaime Hernandez (1895-1959), a career Mexican army officer. He initially fought with the revolutionaries under Lt. Col. Anacleto Giron in the army of General Alvaro Obregon which defeated Pancho Villa at Celaya. He married Effie Schneider in the U.S. in 1912. He joined the Mexican army in 1927 and captured Obregon's assassin Jose Leon Toral. On December 6, 1934, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Colonel Juan Jaime Hernandez commanded the troops pursuing the rebels in northern Coahuila and chased them into the Muzquiz Mountains. The Corpus Christi Times on August 31, 1938, U.P. reported from Eagle Pass, Texas, that 5,000 minors were on strike in the Mexican mines and "Gen. Juan Jaime Hernandez was in command of 700 soldiers guarding the mines' property and patrolling the area of Neuva Rosita to maintain order." He was promoted to brigadier general in 1945, and, in 1950, he became the commander of the 6th Military Zone based in Saltillo. Provenance: General Juan Jaime Hernandez; Corporal John S. Jaime; The John Kopec Collection; The Charles Marx Collection

Excellent with 98% plus untouched original nickel finish, crisp engraving and markings, minimal wear from handling and storage, and flash marks visible on the face of the cylinder. The grips are very fine and have attractive natural iridescence, minor chips and flakes, and a distinct carved steer head. Mechanically excellent.