This fantastic work of Colt factory artistry is the embodiment of early 20th century American fine art by famed Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht. Helfricht was Colt's longest tenured in house master engraver who had literal hands on experience with the transition from percussion to cartridge revolvers and eventually automatic pistols. It is safe to say that no other engraver knew the lines of the 19th century’s most iconic firearm, the Colt 1873 Single Action Army, better than Helfricht, and it is with great pride and pleasure we present this factory full silver plate, carved pearl stock example executed by his own hand. 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 accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to Shelton Payne Co. of El Paso, Texas, on January 8, 1914, as the solo gun in the shipment. Few firearms are more deeply associated with the American West than the Colt Single Action Army and perhaps no other state personifies the image of the Wild West more than Texas! This Helfricht engraved masterpiece certainly has all the flair a wealthy Texan could want in a Peacemaker. The factory letter confirms the 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber, silver plating, "pearl carved stocks," and factory engraving. The revolver is pictured in "The Colt Engraving Book, Volume 1" on page 441 where Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson cited the "Colt medallion pearl grips, with rare flying eagle motif." Very few SAAs left the factory with hand carved grips and the steer head was the most common carving, making the flying eagle a very rare extra feature. The revolver is decorated in Helfricht's beautiful characteristic floral scroll motif on beaded background along with fan patterns on the recoil shield, loading gate, shoulders, and top of the backstrap, with zig-zag line motifs throughout. Using the most liberal statistics only 4,500 First Generation Colt Single Action Army revolvers of the 357,800 manufactured were factory engraved. This SAA is made even more appealing as it has factory silver plating and is another rare feature highly prized by collectors. The factory full silver plating, Helfricht engraving, and eagle carved grip make for a rare combination of features missing from even the most advanced collections. The barrel has the two-line Colt Hartford address on top and the caliber designation "45 COLT" in a banner on the left side amongst the scrollwork. The left side of the frame has the two-line, three patent dates marking in a banner followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. The unnumbered Colt medallion pearl grips feature the carved flying eagle motif on the right panel. The matching serial number appears on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Brig Pemberton purchased this Helfricht masterpiece from Eric Vaule in 1965. The leather money belt holster rig was made by Shelton Payne Arms Co, the same El Paso, Texas, retailer where the revolver was shipped. The holster and belt both have the Shelton Payne Arms Co. marking. Shelton Payne Arms Co. was a well-known Texas supplier of firearms, ammunition, sporting goods, and leather goods. As a very important historical footnote, General George S. Patton ordered his very iconic Cuno Helfricht engraved and silver plated 4-3/4 inch Single Action Army, serial number 332088 from Shelton Payne when he was stationed at Fort Bliss which was delivered in early 1916. Provenance: Eric Vaule; The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection

Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% plus original silver plating having an attractive age darkened appearance with holster type wear and crisp engraving. The grips are very fine with a surface chip visible near the top (right panel), minimal handling marks, and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. The holster rig is fine with the belt showing the outline of a removed decoration. The Helfricht engraving, carved eagle pearl grips, full silver plating, and high condition make for true rarity in Colt artistry. This SAA is well deserving of the finest collection.