This is an outstanding example of a rare pre-war Colt factory engraved Officers Model DA Target "Sales Sample" revolver that was manufactured in 1938 and is complete with the original Colt pre-war maroon box. This super rare factory engraved revolver is pictured in the book "The Book of Colt Engraving" by Wilson on page 330 and also on page 306 in the book "Colt Pistols" by Wilson and Hable in which Wilson describes it as "One Of The Most Traveled Sales Sample Guns" ever produced by the Colt factory. The included factory letter confirms the configuration including "Class 'B' engraving" and pearl grips. It also confirms that this revolver was shipped via the "Loan Account" to Spalding W. Arms in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 31, 1938. It was then returned to the factory and resent out to six other companies in 1939-1940 before it was finally sold to Bacharach Rasin Company in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 5, 1940. This exceptional revolver has been beautifully engraved in a late "Gough" pattern that covers 50% plus of the metal surfaces. If you were a top pistol shooter and could afford to own one exceptionally accurate revolver, everyone usually chose a Colt Officer Model. This factory engraved example was usually only reserved for the very rich and/or elite among the top pistol shots in the shooting fraternity. These pistols were beautifully hand built to exacting accuracy requirements and were the best target pistols of their time. They had flat top target type frames with adjustable front and rear sights, checkered triggers and back straps, and super smooth, hand honed, double and single action trigger pull. William Gough was an active engraver for the Colt factory from 1910-1940 and was also a Winchester factory engraver prior. His style of engraving was quite different from many of the previous Colt engravers with a line border around the major areas of the frame, cylinder flutes and factory markings with a wide open scroll engraving over a heavy punch-dot background that usually was used to frame the engraved scrolls, and some very non-formal zig-zag type geometric patterns. The metal surfaces have the original Colt high polish blue finish with a matte finish on the top strap and rear grip strap. It is fitted with beautiful carved grips with an eagle carved on the right panel and silver Colt factory medallions. This rare revolver is also accompanied by a factory box with configuration marks on the end including stickers that read "TARGET" and "PARTRIDGE SIGHTS" along with another factory "ENGRAVED" ("EN" absent) sticker on top. The inside has "THE COLT REVOLVER/WHY IT SHOULD BE YOUR CHOICE" advertisements in English and Spanish on the lid and a list of other Colt firearms on the bottom.

Excellent. 99% of the original blue finish remains with some storage grease around the rear of the cylinder. The mother of pearl grips are also in excellent like new condition with a beautiful carved eagle on the right side. The box is in very good condition with wear and scuffing on all the edges and corners and some minor tears and separations; obviously the box has taken the wear and tear during the its many travels and not the pistol. This is just a wonderful example of a rare Colt factory engraved Sales Sample Officer's Model DA 22LR revolver.