Manufactured in 1904 and subsequently professionally engraved by Arnold Griebel of Chicago, Illinois, in 1956. The revolver features floral scroll and punch dot engraving on the barrel, frame, cylinder flats, ejector housing and grip straps. Among the engraving is a mountain lion in a mountain scene on the right side of the barrel, a big horn ram on the upper right side of the frame ahead of the cylinder, a pronghorn antelope on the opposite, a ruffle grouse in a wooded scene on the right side of the frame, bear on the loading gate and a buffalo on the recoil shield. The top of the back strap features a shell design. There are two (one thin, one wide) gold inlaid bands around the muzzle and the trigger guard has decorative gold "S" with a matte background. The left trigger guard shoulder is signed "ENGR. BY/A. GRIEBEL". The top of the barrel is marked with the one line address in a panel, the left side of the barrel is marked "COLT" in an oval panel and "38 SPECIAL" in an oval panel. The left side of the frame is marked with the two line, three patent dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. Standard blade front, frame notch rear sights, all blue finish and fitted with one-piece ivory grip with a relief carved buffalo head on the left side and a big horn ram on the right side. The grip was carved from ivory collected by the consignor on a 1958 safari. Complete with a contemporary Colt wooden case with red satin and corduroy lining, Colt brand on the lid and an affixed brass plaque which reads "MAYNARD M. SORENSON/38 SPECIAL S.A. COLT/ENGR. BY ARNOLD GREIBEL - 1956". Also accompanying the revolver are four letters of correspondence between Griebel and the consignor and literature pertaining to Griebel's engraving.

Professionally refinished and embellished with 99% of the blue finish remaining, showing some small areas of light spotting on the barrel, top strap and top of the hammer. According to the consignor the barrel and cylinder were replaced by Colt in the early 1950s and remained un-fired since then. The grip is a little loose, but excellent, beginning to take on an attractive patina and showing a few hairline age cracks on the bottoms. The engraving and markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. The case is very good.