Colt Single Action Army revolver with factory Style C engraving and Colt Factory letter. The Colt factory letter describes Colt Single Action Army serial number 357500 as: "Caliber 38, Barrel length 5 1/2", Finish Blue, Type of stocks Not listed" and "Factory engraved Yes-Grade "C"". The Colt letter further states that this revolver was shipped to the Shapleigh Hardware Company in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 6, 1940. This revolver was engraved by Colt's master engraver Wilbur A. Glahn and features profuse, perfectly executed, near full coverage, scrollwork with floral high-lights on a punch-dot background. The engraving is nearly identical to the work on Single Action serial number 347640 engraved by Wilbur Glahn c. 1938 and illustrated on page 570 of "THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK VOLUME TWO" by R.L. Wilson. The revolver has a blued barrel, ejector housing, cylinder, trigger guard, back strap, trigger and screws with color casehardened frame and loading gate. The hammer is bright with blued top. The two-piece pearl grips are inlaid with silver Colt medallions. The right grip features a relief carved, steer head motif. The barrel has a special order, extra wide, front sight blade. The hammer has border-less knurling on the spur. The top of the barrel is engraved: "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.Co.HARTFORD CT.U.S.A." is the single line with engraved border. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped: "COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 SPECIAL" in an engraved panel. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt 'Two-Line/Three-Date' patent markings followed by the Rampant Colt trademark surrounded by scrollwork borders. The left front trigger guard bow is stamped with a "4" assembler's mark above the Colt "Triangle/VP" proofmark. A five-pointed star is stamped on the front face of the cylinder between the chambers. An "F" Colt inspection mark is stamped in the top of the hammer well. The assembly number "157" is stamped on the inside of the loading gate and on the right side of the frame beneath the grip. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, on the right side of the trigger guard and back strap beneath the grip. The partial serial number "00" is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder between the chambers. All of the visible serial numbers match. This is one of the very last Colt Single Action Army revolvers assembled before production ceased in 1941 at serial number 357859. Colt expert R.L. Wilson states that approximately 450 Single Action revolvers were factory engraved between 1922 and 1940 with a blued and color casehardened finish.

Near mint. This revolver retains 98% plus of the original blue finish. The only storage and handling wear is a trace of finish loss on the left side of the muzzle, very minor turn marks in the cylinder stops and some slight discoloration on the face of the trigger. The frame and loading gate retain 99% of the vivid original case colors. The flawlessly executed scroll and floral engraving is extremely crisp. All of the markings are sharp. The two-piece, relief carved, pearl grips are bright and in the same, near new, condition as the other components Impossible to improve upon in every respect, as magnificent as it is rare. An American icon. A tour de force!