This special order Colt Police Positive DA revolver is accompanied by a factory letter listing the revolver in .32 Police with a 2 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, and ivory grips with "carved Ox head motif" and indicates it was shipped to Witte Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 25, 1911. Engraving is not listed, but the revolver features attractive factory engraving. In "The Book of Colt Firearms" Colt historian and author cited approximately 170 Police Positives were factory engraved (page 376). The engraving covers nearly all of the surface and is mostly floral scrollwork on beaded background along with cross hatching and zig-zag line motifs. Matching serial numbers appear on the inside of the frame, crane and cylinder ("49"). The barrel is marked with the two-line Colt legend on top and "POLICE/POSITIVE" followed by ".32 POLICE CTG." on the left side. The Colt factory Rampant Colt trade mark with stylized "C" appears on the side plate amongst the engraving. The Colt medallion grips feature a wonderful relief carved steer head on the right panel. Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection

Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% plus original nickel finish with crisp engraving. The grips are very fine with minimal handling marks, crisp carving and highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. This factory engraved Colt Police Positive DA revolver is a rare piece of Colt artistry from the early 20th century.