This is one of approximately 200 of Colt's Model 1877 revolver that were chambered in .32 Long Colt and nicknamed the "Rainmaker". Making this specific example even rarer is the fact that it is factory engraved and exhibiting patterns executed by the famed Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht. Cuno Helfricht spent his nearly 50 year career exclusively with the Colt firm (1871-1921). During his tenure with Colt, Helfricht saw the transition from percussion to cartridge firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved firearms. At the height of the firearm engraving fad, Helfricht oversaw a shop of six engravers. By the turn of the century, experts believe that Helfricht did most of the work himself with the help from one to two assistants. Helfricht's successor's included famed Colt engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough. The factory engraving on this Rainmaker covers 75% of the surface and is similar to engraving patterns seen on other Helfricht embellished Model 1877s as pictured on page 458 of R.L. Wilson's "The Colt Engraving Book." The majority of the engraving features fine floral scrollwork on a punch dot background. Fan patterns adorn the recoil shield and loading gate, while zig-zag line patterns decorate the back strap, trigger guard, top strap, and ejector rod housing. The alternating patterns between the cylinder flutes are particularly interesting as they match the embellishment on no. 89034, a Rainmaker Helfricht engraved and pictured in the aforementioned book (page 458). Also note the patterns used on the sides of the trigger guard and backstrap and zig-zag line motifs on the front sides of the frame are very similar to the patterns Helfricht used on Lightning no. 77562 shown on the same page as no. 89034. In "The Book of Colt Firearms," R.L. Wilson noted total factory engraved Model 1877s represented about 250 chambered in .38 caliber and 475 chambered in .41 caliber. Wilson, however, does not provide production numbers for factory engraved Rainmakers. Given the fact that Rainmakers on a whole represented a limited number of production units to the Model 1877 line, it is therefore without question that factory engraved Rainmakers are extremely rare. Knowledgeable collectors put the number at no more than 6. If all of this is not enough, the revolver features blue and casehardened finishes. The majority of factory engraved Model 1877s had a nickel plated finish (see "The Book of Colt Firearms, page 327). The included factory letter states the revolver was shipped on April 4, 1893 to Hartley & Graham of New York City with a 6 inch barrel in .32 caliber, blue finish, factory engraving, and type of stocks not listed. This was the sole gun in the shipment. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and "COLT D.A. 32" in a banner amongst the scrollwork on the left side. The left side of the frame carries the three-line patent dates marking. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The revolver wears a set of bird head pearl grips. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Exceptionally fine, retaining 75% original blue finish with holster type wear, some light spotting on the cylinder, and thinning to brown on the grip straps. The frame retains 40% original case colors. The engraving is crisp. The period replacement grips are slightly oversized and are in very fine condition with highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. An exceedingly rare documented factory engraved Colt Model 1877 Rainmaker DA revolver missing from even the most advanced collections. A must have for the serious Colt collector.