Manufactured in 1904, this Colt SAA is featured in “Colt Engraving Book Vol. 2” on page 560 and "Colt Engraving" on page 395 where author R.L. Wilson cited the revolver as having returned to the Colt factory for engraving “approximately late 1934” and was engraved by Wilbur Glahn. The Colt factory “&” is marked on the right side of the trigger guard bow. The revolver was presented to Oklahoma Sheriff Floyd Randolph by Texas oil man and longtime friend Vernon S. Joiner upon Sheriff Randolph’s election to office. The presentation is noted by the inscription on the back strap. Randolph was the sheriff of Carter County, Oklahoma from January 1935 to January 1943. The presentation is explained in a 1978 dated letter from Randolph’s daughter, Mary Louise Eskew-Hale. Mary sold her father’s gun to collector/dealer Paul Sorrell. The SAA was later acquired from Sorrell by Brig Pemberton. Randolph and his family arrived in Ardmore, Indian Territory in 1893. Oklahoma would not be admitted to the Union until 1907. His father ran a blacksmith shop that burned to the ground when Randolph was six years old in 1895. Randolph still called Ardmore home when he opened a small saddle shop in 1948. Early in life Randolph was a hired ranch hand and horse breaker, receiving a monthly salary as high as $30 for working 16-18 hour days, 6-7 days a week. In 1907, he joined the Texas Bud Wild West Show out of Fort Worth, Texas, and toured the country and Mexico. After a year he joined the famed Miller Brothers 101 Ranch and Wild West Show and worked under Tom Mix for two years. He went on to work as a ranch hand for J.W. Lynch in Osage. His first experience in law enforcement came in 1911 when he decided to become a deputy sheriff at Wichita Falls, but quickly returned to working a ranch. He served in the U.S. Army in World War I. In 1926, he married a world’s champion trick rider, Florence Hughes. In that year he organized the first rodeo held in Madison Square Garden in New York. In 1934, he ran for sheriff of Carter County and won the election. He served as sheriff of eight years. His department was commended by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover for the capture of Chicago bank robber Gerald Gulick and received a lot of media attention for solving several high profile murder cases. After serving as sheriff, Randolph went back to the work he knew best, the horse business, until he opened the saddle shop in 1948. A photograph of the shop is included. Though highly sought after today, the popularity of engraved firearms decreased in the late 19th century and into the 20th century. R. L. Wilson on page 385 of "The Colt Engraving Book, Volume One" wrote, "The grand total of engraved Single Action Army revolvers (excluding the Bisley Model and Flattop Target Model) from 1873 through 1940 is approximately 3,000. A number of these also included hand engraved inscriptions or monograms. For the period of Cuno Helfricht (through c. 1921) the total of factory engraved Single Action Army revolvers was approximately 2,550..." Others estimate as many as 4,500 engraved First Generation Single Action Army revolvers, but that still accounts for only approximately 1.26% of production. The engraving on the revolver is consistent with Glahn’s typical scroll and floral pattern on matted background along with his characteristic “V” patterns on the back strap and loading gate. The back strap has the presentation inscription: “V.S. JOINER/TO FLOYD RANDOLPH/JAN. 1935.” The revolver is fitted with pearl grips featuring a relief carved and jeweled eyed steer head on the right panel. The barrel, ejector housing, and front cylinder face are all marked with the assembly number "1063W." Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The floral tooled leather open top holster is unmarked. A photo of Randolph on horseback mounted in an 18 inch x 15 inch wooden frame is included as well as a silver deputy sheriff badge by Sachs-Lawlor of Denver. Provenance: Oklahoma Sheriff Floyd Randolph; Paul Sorrell Collection; The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection

Exceptionally fine, retaining 97% plus of the factory applied engraving and nickel plated finish. The engraving is crisp. The grips are very fine with a chipped heels, small surface chip at top of right panel, crisp carving and highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically functions but hammer has only three clicks. The holster is fine. A factory engraved Colt SAA revolver with authentic Oklahoma cowboy and law enforcement history.