From the late 1880s to the early 1900s self-described “American multinational luxury jewelry and specialty retailer” Tiffany & Co. advertised some of the period’s most spectacular and expensive highly embellished weaponry for America’s leading firearms manufacturers including Colt, Winchester and Smith & Wesson. “Revolvers of the most improved types, mounted in silver, carved ivory, gold, etc. with rich and elaborate decorations,” proclaimed the Tiffany Blue Book catalog, would set a customer back $50.00 to $300.00. The number of surviving Tiffany firearms remain unknown, but studies clearly show that S&W benefited the most from Tiffany’s world renowned master craftsmanship. Without a doubt Tiffany embellished Colts are much rarer than their S&W counterparts. While Tiffany did limited work for Colt starting in the 1860s, no work of this magnitude was executed until the 1890s. Additional information and examples are documented in R.L. Wilson's "Steel Canvas," The Book of Colt Firearms" and “The Book of Colt Engraving.” The largest public display of Tiffany embellished 19th century arms can be viewed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Gallery 372. The lion’s share of the display was donated and/or sold by Dr. Gerald Klaz. These highly stylized arms were often intended to be showpieces for the World's Columbian Expedition of 1893, the Exposition Universelle in Paris of 1900 and the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, NY in 1901. Colt New Army and Navy revolvers were manufactured from 1892 until 1907. The barrel is stamped “COLT D.A. 38” on the left side and has the two-line legend ending with the 1895 patent date on top. The revolver lacks a visible serial number. Matching assembly number "68" appears on the inside of the frame, crane and cylinder latch. The solid cast sterling silver Tiffany grip is constructed in one-piece, covers the rear of the frame and right recoil shield, is attached to the revolver so masterfully the only visible place where it is secured is at the frame with two silver pins, and features full coverage, highly detailed etched Indian tiger hunting scenes. The grip is signed “TIFFANY & CO./STERLING/T.” Like most major firearm manufacturers of the time, engravers were not allowed to sign their own work. Amazingly, Tiffany was allowed to mark the piece made on special order as well as those made for private customers.