This is a beautiful example of a rare gold inlaid factory engraved Colt Double Action New Service revolver that was manufactured in 1925 shipped to Don Alfredo Gottling of Buenos Aires. This was the latest large frame double action revolver produced by the Colt manufacturing company after WWI. This wonderful revolver has the desirable 7 1/2 inch barrel chambered for the 44-40 cartridge. It has been expertly engraved in an "A" coverage (approximately 25%) of the metal surfaces with an elaborate gold arabesque inlay on each side of the frame nearly identical to the gold inlay on the N.R. Webster Official Police revolver pictured on page 473 of the new "Colt Engraving Book". The engraving consist of an unusual floral pattern, intermixed with some geometric highlights similar to the engraving done by Wilbur Glahn (Colt engraver, 1919-1950). The top of the barrel has the two-line Colt factory address and patent dates, with the left side marked "NEW SERVICE 44-40". The revolver has been fitted with factory installed and lettered set of carved grips that depict a raised Steer Head on the right side with a smooth left grip panel with the initials "L.S.A." cut into the lower left side, with both sides having the Colt silver medallions at the top. The frame is numbered "323827" N with the matching number on the back side of the cylinder crane. The cylinder has matching engraving and wear patterns. The underside of the frame is fitted with a lanyard loop. Previous to this revolver’s appearance at RIA there was only one other factory gold inlaid New Service revolver serial number 318715 which was shipped to Don Alfredo Gottling, Buenos Aires, on May 21st 1924. This revolver is pictured in the Colt Christie’s sale in 1891 as lot 59. It also appears in "Colt Engraving" and "The Colt Heritage" pages 215 and 217. Our revolver features far more elaborate gold inlay though much simpler engraving. Only one other gold inlaid New Service is known, an extremely luxuriously engraved and gold inlaid revolver by the great R.J. Kornbrath, which was shipped to Kornbrath in a “green” state. With all features verified by Colt Factory records as one of only three known gold inlaid New Service revolvers, this revolver presents a unique opportunity to acquire one of the, if not the rarest Colt double actions in existence. All features verified by Colt Factory ledger.

Very fine overall with 70% plus of the original blue finish remaining overall with edge and high spot wear, blue loss on both sides of the barrel, and some browning on the cylinder and rear back strap. The grips are in very fine condition overall with a nice tight fit on the frame, with both grips showing wonderful mellow patination and none of the usual cracking along the edges with the typical, very minor circular age cracks on the under side of both grips. The steer head carving is excellent overall and still shows great detail in the carving. The factory gold inlays on each side of the frame are all intact and original to the revolver.