The factory letter lists this revolver in .38 caliber with a 6 inch barrel, gold plated finish, "Pearl with carved Mexican Eagle motif" grips, factory engraved with "'Hipolito Villa' engraved on the strap", and as shipped to Shelton-Payne Arms Company in El Paso, Texas, on March 2, 1915, as the sole gun of its type. The back strap has since been knurled removing the original inscription, and "E CANTU" is inscribed on the butt. It has a pinned blade front sight, target notch rear sight, standard factory markings among the acanthus scroll and punch dot engraving, full gold plated finish, and factory pearl grips with Rampant Colt medallions and a carved Mexican golden eagle with a snake in its mouth based on the Coat of Arms of Mexico. General Jose Hipolito Arango Arambula aka Hipolito Villa (1881-1964) was the younger brother of Doroteo Arango Arambula aka Francisco Pancho Villa (1878-1923), the famous leader of the revolutionary Division del Norte in the Mexican Revolution. Hipolito Villa operated out of Ciudad Juarez directly across the border from El Paso from which he procured munitions for his brother's forces and also managed gambling operations, swindled money, and lived lavishly and beyond his means. 1915 is significant as the year of Pancho Villa's major defeats at the Battle of Celaya (April 6-15) and Second Battle of Agua Prieta (November 1) which effectively ended his major military operations. Note that this revolver was shipped one month prior to the first of those battles. Major Esteban Cantu Jimenez (1881-1966) was a Federalist chief of the line at Mexicali in 1911, head of a cavalry regiment in 1912, and was a colonel and appointed the political and military chief of Baja California by Pancho Villa on January 20, 1915, and by May of 1917 was the governor and military commander of the Northern District of Baja California. He, like Hipolito Villa, was involved in vice but is also seen as reigning over a prosperous and peaceful time for the region during which its population grew while other areas of Mexico were in turmoil, and he worked on public works including ensuring access to schools. He was forced from office in July 1920 by President Carranza after entertaining separating his district from Mexico as an independent country under his leadership. He later became a senator for the region in the 1950s. Also included is a Shelton-Payne Arms Company marked tooled cartridge belt and holster with "Hipolito Villa" among the tooled designs on the back. A monogram that appears to consist of the letters "SVP" is part of the design on the holster near the top. Also includes a consignor research binder with texts relating to both Villa and Cantu.

Fine with half of original gold primarily in the protected areas and otherwise gray and brown patina, some light oxidation, and mild overall wear from use. The grips are also fine with mild aging and handling wear. Mechanically excellent. The holster rig is very good with some torn loops, crackling, and rub wear, including mostof the name worn down on the back. Overall, this is a fascinating factory engraved Colt with factory carved pearl grips that was originally meant for Hipolito Villa, brother of Pancho Villa, and later inscribed for Governor Esteban Cantu of Baja California that also includes Hipolito Villa's tooled holster and cartridge belt rig from Shelton-Payne Arms Co. This is sure to be a conversation piece in any collection.