This beautiful master engraved Single Action Army revolver has a screwless frame and was specifically created to demonstrate the talents of the Colt Custom Shop and was displayed by the Colt Custom Shop at the 1997 Shot Show and Antique Arms Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was also featured in the 1998 Colt Custom Shop catalog which was released at the 1998 Shot Show. Two copies of the catalog are included; one is sealed. The revolver was engraved and gold inlaid by Colt Master Engraver Steve Kamyk. It has 85% coverage primarily scroll and punch dot engraving patterns. The left side of the frame has a bust of Samuel Colt at the rear of a French gray Colt factory scene, and the right side has a coordinating bust of Elizabeth Colt at the rear of a depiction of Colt's mansion Armsmear. The loading gate is marked "COLT" in superposed gold relief lettering. The Rampant Colt in gold relief is on the recoil shield. There are gold inlaid bands on the barrel and borders on the other components. It has a smooth, creamy grip with golden Colt medallions. The unique "CATALOG/97-1" serial number is on the bottom of the frame. The included factory letter confirms the details above and that it was shipped on March 13, 1997, to Austin, Texas. According to the consignor notes, Colt stated that this revolver was only the third screwless frame ever produced by 1997 (this feature is still available through the Custom Shop and is most commonly seen on ultra high-end custom revolvers) and the included framed photograph was hung in the Custom Shop Office. The revolver is pictured on page 323 of the book "Colt and Its Collectors" published by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. The matching shipping sleeve and box including papers including an original Colt invoice. Oddly, both the letter and invoice state that the revolver is partly "color case" finished although it clearly was not. This has also been noted on other high end engraved Colts.

Near new. The revolver has only faint handling/storage type marks overall and some slight age cracks on the butt of the grip.