Colt Single Action Army revolver factory engraved by Wilbur A. Glahn c. 1926. This revolver is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that describes the features as: 'Caliber: .38/40, Barrel Length 5 1/2", Finish: Blue", and "Type of Stocks: Ivory". The letter states that the revolver was factory engraved and was shipped to the Honeyman Hardware Company in Portland, Oregon, on May 25, 1926. The barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap have the high polish Colt blue finish. The frame, loading gate and hammer are color casehardened. The frame screws and trigger have a fire blue finish. The two piece ivory grips are inlaid with nickel-silver Rampant Colt medallions. The left grip has a highly detailed, relief carved steer head and both grips are covered with deeply carved period applied, non-factory square-cut checkering. The barrel, ejector housing, ejector rod head, frame, loading gate, cylinder, trigger guard and back strap are decorated with scroll and border "Grade B" engraving on a punch-dot background. The engraving is nearly identical to the two Glahn engraved Colt Single Action revolvers (serial number 349681 and 352131) illustrated on page 574 of "THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK, VOLUME TWO" by R.L. Wilson. The top of the barrel is roll stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG.Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.". The caliber designation "38 W.C.F." is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel in a panel surrounded by scrollwork. The three-date/two-line Colt patent markings and Rampant Colt trademark are roll stamped on the left side of the frame in a scroll work bordered panel. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "563". The left side of the trigger guard bow is stamped with a "3" assembler's mark above the Colt "Triangle/VP" proofmark. The serial number "348846" is stamped on the bottom of the frame and on the right side of the trigger guard and back strap beneath the grips. The rear face of the cylinder is stamped with the partial serial number "46". All of the visible serial numbers match.

Extremely fine. The revolver retains nearly 97% of the original blue and casehardened finish. There is very minor finish wear on the left side of the barrel at the muzzle and the front edge of the ejector housing. The blue finish on the bottom of the trigger guard and the center of the back strap has dulled slightly from handling. The cylinder retains nearly all of the high polish blue finish and shows minimal drag lines between the stops. The frame, loading gate and hammer retain nearly all of the vivid case colors. Most of the fire blue finish is present on the trigger and frame screws. The flawlessly executed scroll engraving is deep and crisp. The period custom checkered oxhead grips have a mellow age patina; wear is limited to several insignificant scratches on the heels. The action functions perfectly. This is an outstanding example of a factory engraved Colt Single Action Army revolver with deluxe factory relief carved ivory grips. Only about 1,000 of the approximately 358,000 Colt Single Action Army revolvers manufactured between 1873 and 1940 were factory engraved. These factory engraved guns are among the rarest and most desirable Colt Single Action Army revolvers.