Offered here is a highly sought after work of early 20th century Colt artistry: a factory engraved First Generation Colt Single Action Army. Colt Single Action Army revolvers are among the most desirable of all American firearms. The Single Action Army itself is arguably the most iconic handgun in history, and 357,800 were manufactured prior to World War II. However, though many of the most famous Single Action Armies were engraved, using the most liberal statistics, only 4,500 pre-war Colt Single Action Army revolvers were factory engraved. This factory engraved Single Action Army is made even more appealing as it has factory silver plating and carved ox head pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter indicates that the revolver was shipped on April 1, 1908 to Schoverling, Dale, & Gales of New York City with a 5 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, silver finish, carved ox head grips, initials "W.G.M." engraved on the butt, and deluxe factory engraving. This was a single gun shipment. The artistry featured is the embodiment of early 20th century American fine art by famed Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht and his shop. 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 virtually flawless example executed by his own hand. He was the head of Colt's engraving shop from 1871 to 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 successors included famed Colt engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough. The revolver has classic factory scroll, floral, and wavy line engraving from Master Engraver Cuno A. Helfricht, which covers much of the surface and is plated in silver. Full silver plating was a rare Colt factory special order feature and is highly sought after by collectors. Factory silver plating and engraving is without a doubt an extremely rare combination, and the addition of the special ox head carving on the right grip and engraved "WGM" initials on the butt makes this an exceptionally rare piece that will nearly be impossible to duplicate. The silver plating, engraving, carving, and initials are all special order features. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top inside a zig-zag line banner and the caliber designation "45 COLT" inside a banner surrounded by scrollwork on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers are found on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Exceptionally fine as an early 20th century work of Colt artistry, retaining 85% plus attractive age darkened original silver plating. The grips are very fine with a chip near the top of the right panel, a few minor scratches, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This factory engraved/inscribed, silver plated, carved ox head pearl stocked Colt Single Action Army revolver will certainly make a grand statement to any collection.