Using the most liberal statistics only 2,500 1st Generation Colt SAAs of the 357,800 manufactured were factory engraved, and the overwhelming majority of those 2,500 were done in the twilight years of production. Thus, an emphasis must be placed on the rarity of factory documented black powder single actions. Yet even fewer of those remain in high condition, and the vast majority of all of these revolvers' provenance remain unknown unlike this incredible piece which is documented as owned by a high ranking official within the U.S. Indian Service during the Progressive Era and remains in very fine condition. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with factory engraving, blue finish, .44-40 chambering, pearl stocks and barrel length not listed when shipped to Simmons Hardware Co., St. Louis, Missouri, on July 4, 1879. The listing of blue finish is quite obviously a factory recording error as the revolver retains its original nickel plating throughout. This error is pointed out in "The Colt Engraving Book" as well. The engraving consists of light and graceful scrollwork, including scarce coverage on the hammer. The barrel has the one-line address stamped on top and the desirable and iconic acid etched panel "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" on the left side. Note a fan style engraving extends from the bottom of the etched panel. A panel of stippling surrounds the front sight, a fan motif is engraved on top of the back strap, and a blank inscription panel terminating in scrolls is engraved on the back strap. Other markings on the revolver include the three-line patent dates on the left side of the frame, “44 CF” on the left side of the trigger guard, and matching numbers on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder and barrel. The revolver is identified in R.L. Wilson’s “The Colt Engraving Book, Vol. I” on page 369, identified in an included R.L. Wilson letter, and featured in the included May/June 1995 issue of “Man at Arms” (pages 32-33). According to Wilson, the engraved pattern falls into the category of “special scroll style” used on a limited number of cartridge handguns from about 1873 to 1879. These few hundred engraved examples are embellished with a stylish scroll pattern that greatly contrasts to the work associated with renowned Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht. Wilson concludes, “Elements of the style suggest Gustave Young as the originator, but there is a strong possibility some of these arms were done by Herman Ulrich, and possibly other engravers of like talent—each at one point or other in their careers under the influence of the master Gustave Young.” For further analysis related to comparable engraved patterns see “The Colt Engraving Book, Vol. I” on pages 358-359 and 366-367. As noted by Wilson, this revolver was once carried by Claude C. Covey of the U.S. Indian Service. The revolver came out of his family as noted in the photo caption for this revolver in the "Roll of Honor" in the included copy of the Vol. 17 No. 3 issue of "Man at Arms" from 1995 which indicates it was auctioned off by Covey’s then living decedents sometime before the issue was released. Three accompanying photographs of Covey show him with a holstered pearl griped SAA; this is very, very likely the revolver offered here. The holster in the photographs also matches the included double loop, chamois lined brown leather holster. An extensive archive of personal affects and period documents such as newspapers and U.S. Indian Service records provide background information related to Covey’s long career with the U.S. Indian Service and a treasure trove for those wanting to understand Indian policy during the Progressive Era. By all of these accounts, Covey was a committed and successful U.S. Indian Service agent. Covey was from Jamestown, Indiana, and attended the Indiana State Normal School and was a senior in 1890-91. He was issued the included teaching licenses in Indiana in the 1890s and was teaching in the Indian schools at least as early as 1900 and worked at several Indian Agencies in various capacities including as superintendent. Among the earlier locations were Neah Bay on the Makah Reservation in Washington, the Lemhi Agency in Idaho, the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon, and the Navajo Springs Reservation in Colorado. In December 1914, he became superintendent of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation located in North Dakota and South Dakota, and three years later was transferred to the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota which had been created in 1868 by the Treaty of Fort Laramie. At the reservations, he pursued and implemented general welfare policies such as infrastructure projects, improving conditions for raising livestock and farming, and the introduction and expansion of educational programs. He placed a particular emphasis on cattle raising which was suited to the area, and records indicate he also owned his own cattle back in Indiana. Though certainly influenced by the racial and social views relating to native people in his time, the included documents from Covey clearly demonstrate a genuine concern for the well-being of the Rosebud Sioux and his belief that their interests matter. The included documents clearly layout his intent "in bettering the conditions of all inhabitants and promoting advancement of this section" including solving the problems of tuberculosis, alcohol use (a key target of reformers in the era both among the Indians and white population), and relations with white settlers buying land on and around the reservation. One extended speech on the subject of Indian citizenship on July 4, 1915, outlines his concerns and beliefs around preparing the Sioux for full citizenship and independence from government support which in his mind and many others of the period included laying "aside…old tribal ways" and instructed them "no longer to consider yourselves as a tribe. Each man must have an ambition to be his own individual self independent, self-supporting, a citizen of your great nation…I will do everything possible to aid and encourage you and to hasten the time when you may have complete control of your own affairs." Other documents relate to his own social and political life such as his wife's baby book which records the birth of their daughter and many of her "firsts," degree as master received on September 21, 1917, from the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons Black Hills Consistory No. 3 in Deadwood, South Dakota, certificate of good standing from the Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America at the Naja Temple in Deadwood, cards from social engagements, documents and articles relating to his support of the sale of Liberty Bonds to support the U.S. war effort in World War I, and more. The three photographs of Mr. Covey wearing a SAA with pearl grips are obviously of particular relevance and importance to this revolver. Later in life, he worked on the state highway commission, and he died in 1923 from the flu and was survived by his wife and three children. Some of the personal effects include two wallets, one marked "C.C. Covey, Rosebud, S.D./Black Hills Consistory No. 3/Deadwood, S.D./Naja Temple, N.M.S., Deadwood, S.D."

Very fine. The cylinder retains 60% original nickel finish, and the remaining surfaces retain 90% original nickel finish with the overall balance a smooth gray patina mixed with some flaking. Nearly all of the etched panel remains. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also very fine with a couple small chips missing near the bottom. Mechanically functions but needs half cock notch rebuilt. The attractive holster is very good with missing stitching and scuffing and wear overall. An absolutely stunning example of a factory engraved Colt Frontier Six Shooter historically linked to the western frontier for the serious SAA collector. Rarely do we find factory engraved blackpowder factory engraved SAAs with both deluxe engraving and history!