The included factory letter states this revolver was shipped on April 11, 1879, to famed Denver, Colorado, retailer J.P. Lower & Sons and confirms the 2 ½ inch barrel in .41 caliber, two-tone nickel and gold finish, factory engraving, checkered grip, and grip material. This was a two gun shipment. The revolver is pictured and identified in R.L. Wilson’s “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume One” on pages 370-371. Unfortunately, Wilson incorrectly incorporated the revolver in "Chapter Nine: Non-Factory Engraved Colts". The aforementioned included factory letter from 1989 and addressed to prominent Colt collector Brig Pemberton clearly confirmed the factory engraving. This Colt Model 1877 DA Revolver is factory engraved. This is a highly engraved example with patterns that do not follow typical Colt factory motifs such as those established by Master Engraver Cuno A. Helfricht and his shop. When this revolver shipped in 1879, Helfricht had been employed at Colt for less than ten years. A comparable scroll pattern is found in the smoke pulls from a Model 1860 Army Thuer conversion revolver attributed to Helfricht showcased on page 391 in “The Colt Engraving Book” and noted by Wilson as having “several features of Gustave Young.” The revolver is decorated in a very distinctive leafy scroll pattern on beaded background along with fan motifs and starbursts. A very uncommon riband caliber inscription is featured on the left side of the barrel. Note that Model 1877 Lightning serial no. 18661, which is also pictured on page 370 of “The Colt Engraving Book,” has an identical caliber inscription. The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line Colt Hartford address. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “41 CAL.” The left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking. The cylinder would have been gold plated. The remaining surfaces are plated in nickel with the exception of the nitre blue screws. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. Wilson estimated that only 475 Model Thunderers (.41 caliber) were factory engraved with most following standard patterns (see “The Book of Colt Engraving,” page 327). This is certainly a rare piece of Colt history made even more sought after due to its unusual engrave patterns. The open top leather holster is marked “SHELTON-PAYNE-ARMS/MAKERS/EL PASO TEXAS.” Shelton Payne Arms Co. was a well-known Texas supplier of firearms, ammunition, sporting goods, and leather goods, and notoriously sold arms to both sides in the Mexican Revolution. 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, and it was delivered in early 1916. The custom "book" case is titled “The Case of the Six Jurors” by Judge Colt and contains a cartridge block and case key. Also included is the Colt paperback advertisement “Makers of History: A Story of the Development of the History of Our Country and the Part Played in it by Colt” (1926). Provenance: Norm Flayderman; The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection

Fine. The barrel, frame, and hammer retain 70% original nickel finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The cylinder has a bright appearance. The engraving is crisp overall. The grip is fine with a small shallow chip on the right side, typical age lines, overall crisp checkering, and attractive mellow age appearance. Mechanically fine. The holster is fine. The case is very good with worn leather surfaces. A charming factory engraved Colt Sheriff’s Model 1877 Thunderer revolver that will bring added dimension to any Colt or firearms art collection.