Manufactured in 1913 and subsequently masterfully embellished. This pre-war Colt Single Action Army revolver is finished in a deep high polished blue finish featuring gold and silver inlays and is elaborately engraved by Master Engravers R. J. Smith and Siegfried Rentzschke, former Smith & Wesson engravers. According to noted author and historian R.L. Wilson, this revolver is "One of the most elaborately scroll decorated Colt Single Action Army revolvers of the 20th Century". It is engraved in intricate and finely detailed foliate designs executed in the style of R.J. Kornbrath and other Germanic engravers. The revolver is also profusely inlaid in 24 karat gold and Sterling silver. These patterns cover 98% of the gun with the only areas not engraved being the cylinder flutes. The coin finished hammer sides are decorated with a special punch motif based on the Ulrich family style. The top of the ejector rod housing is signed "ENG by S. RENTZSCHKE and R. J. SMITH - Westfield". "45 COLT" is in a small panel on the left side of the barrel. The one-line Colt address appears in a panel on top of the barrel and the two-line/three-patent date marking and Rampant Colt appear on the left side of the frame. Flush gold inlaid scrolls are within the foliate scroll engraving on the barrel, cylinder, frame, loading gate, back strap and trigger guard. The flush sterling silver inlays border most parts of the revolver and a waved line circling the cylinder. Russ Smith was the chief engraver at Smith & Wesson in the 1960s and 70s. Both freelance engravers were accomplished craftsman-engravers of the 20th century and each had special skills and aptitudes. Seldom collaborating, their work on this revolver represents one of the rarities in the annals of arms engraving. For both to sign the gun was even more unusual, particularly that it was a Colt and done outside of their efforts on behalf of Smith & Wesson. Having the two sign this creation adds to the desirability and importance of this revolver. Rentzschke was a master of complex scrolls in German style and in the style of R.J. Kornbrath, and Russ Smith was skilled at gold and silver inlaying and lettering. The result is one of the most distinctive and beautiful scroll decorated Colt Single Action Army revolvers. This fantastic revolver is finished off with smooth polished mother of pearl grips. This revolver is pictured in R.L. Wilson's "The Colt Engraving Book Volume Two" and in the October 1967 issue of "Guns" magazine. This exquisite revolver is complete in a walnut presentation case with wine colored velvet lining which is French cut for the revolver and accessories which include a 2 1/2x 2 x 1 5/8 inch lidded English black walnut box, black walnut oiler, nickel cleaning rod with black walnut handle, two nickel turn screws with black walnut handles, a badger hair brush with a black walnut handle, and a brass key.

Near mint as master embellished and refinished. The grips are near mint with a couple of minor age cracks and a crack along the back strap (see photo). Just an extraordinary, elaborately decorated, gold and silver inlaid pre-war Colt Single Action Army revolver that would be the centerpiece of any collection.