The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver as a single gun shipment on October 4, 1895, delivered to Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri, the gateway to the West, and confirms its current configuration as factory engraved with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, .45 caliber, nickel finish, and pearl grips. Only 35 factory engraved revolvers in the 1-164100 serial range were reportedly shipped in this configuration, having a 5 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber with nickel finish and pearl grips, according to figures shown on page 333 of "The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895" (published 2008) by Wilkerson and Hoyt. 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..." That leaves less than 500 for subsequent years leading up to World War II. 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 based on a total of 357,859, per production figures on page 25 of "Blue Book Pocket Guide for Colt Dates of Manufacture" (2008) by R.L. Wilson. The high quality engraving on this revolver displays the characteristics of deluxe patterns associated with Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht and his shop. Helfricht spent his nearly 50 year career exclusively with the Colt firm (1871-1921). 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 successor's included famed Colt engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough. The revolver is embellished with wonderful factory engraving consisting of floral scrollwork on beaded backgrounds, with fan motifs on the recoil shield, loading gate, and top of the back strap, and wavy zigzag line and dot designs. The standard one-line Colt Hartford address is stamped on top of the barrel, with the caliber marking "45 COLT" on the left in a banner. The two-line patent dates and circled Rampant Colt are on the left of the frame. The matching serial number is visible on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with assembly number "163" on the loading gate. It is fitted with blade and groove sights, and highly attractive two-piece pearl grips with a relief carved steer head on the right grip panel. There are few firearms that exude the character, grit, and style of the American frontier like the Colt Single Action Army revolver. The revolver found itself almost immediately popular as a sidearm upon its release in the mid-late 1800s, and that popularity continued well into the 20th century among those with a desire for unwaveringly reliable firepower. The factory engraving, steer carved on the right grip, and exceptional condition combine to make this beautiful antique Single Action Army among the most desirable of all Colt revolvers. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection