Colt Single Action Army Revolver manufactured in 1881 and shipped to Hartley & Graham in the soft for engraving and finishing. This revolver is accompanied by a Colt factory letter that describes this Colt Single Action Army Revolver as: "Caliber:.45/c, barrel length: Not Listed, Finish: Soft" and Type of Stocks: Not Listed". The letter states that this revolver was shipped to Hartley & Graham in New York, New York, on October 12, 1881. The designation "soft' indicates that the revolver was shipped without final finish and was intended for custom engraving and special finish by Hartley & Graham. The letter further states that records that do not identify the barrel length or type of stocks usually indicate that the revolver had a 7 1/2-inch barrel and standard stocks. This revolver has a full nickel-plated finish with fire blue screws and trigger and two-piece pearl grips. This revolver features bold American scrollwork on a fine punch-dot background on the frame with scrollwork and dot highlights on the cylinder. The barrel, ejector housing, back strap, upper portion of the frame and rear of the cylinder are decorated with zig-zag scroll-work with punch-dot highlights. The loading gate and left recoil shield feature engraved star-bursts. The hammer is not engraved. The engraving was probably executed by master engraver L.D. Nimschke or his shop. One of the premier 19th Century (1850-1900) New York engravers, neurochemist is best known for the custom engraved Colt revolvers he executed for New York retailers, Schuyler, Hartley and Graham. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." in one line. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with Colt's 'Three-Line/Two-Date" patent marking. "45 Cal" is stamped on the left trigger guard bow. A Colt "Z" sub-inspection mark is stamped in the hammer well above the firing pin hole and "J", "B" and "O" are stamped on the rear face of the cylinder between the chambers. The bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap are stamped with the serial number. The serial number and barrel are not serial numbered. All of the visible serial numbers match. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number "7794". The hammer spur is not knurled and the ejector housing has the late, oval, ejector rod head. Provenance: Gillespie collection.

Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 90% of the nickel-plated finish. Wear is limited to some flaking on the lower front edge of the frame, cylinder stops and sides of the hammer. The front face of the hammer has some finish loss and flash pitting. The oversize replacement grips are in very good overall condition with some yellowing at the top at the junction with the frame and two minor chips at the bottom of the lower right grip. The engraving and factory markings are crisp and deep. The action functions but the hammer will not hold at half-cock. This is an excellent example of a Hartley & Graham engraved and nickel-plated Colt Single Action Army revolver that was probably engraved by L.D. Nimschke.