Among the very scarce early factory engraved Single Action Army revolvers were the eighteen revolvers at the center of Colt's famous "wheel" display at the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. The Centennial Exhibition was the first official World's Fair in the U.S. and presented a tremendous advertising opportunity for American arms companies like Colt and Winchester. Both displayed elaborate exhibition arms and took in orders, including for high end deluxe arms. Colt's famous display was perhaps the factory’s most spectacular display in its history, and these SAAs were the centerpieces. The Centennial SAAs were later loaned to the Henry Folsom Co. of St. Louis and were returned to Colt in October 1877. Where each of these revolvers ultimately ended up next is not clear. The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with .45 caliber chambering, nickel with gold cylinder, hammer, trigger and screws and barrel length and type of stocks not listed when shipped to B. Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 18, 1878. This shipment consisted of 20 guns. A similar engraved and finished SAA, serial number 32922 (7 serial numbers away from this Colt), is also known to be a part of this December 18, 1878, shipment to B. Kittredge & Co. These revolvers fall late within the 1876 serial number range. It is possible they were part of the display and Colt had set aside a block for engraved exhibition guns. If not part of the famous wheel display themselves, they were very likely ordered based on the display given Colt experts have indicated revolvers in this shipment to Kittredge closely matched those in the "wheel." The revolver features an elegant minimalist floral scroll engraving characteristic of work by Eugene Young. Very few Eugene Young engraved SAAs, or any Colt for that matter, are known to exist. Light engraved coverage is featured on the barrel, frame, recoil shield, loading gate, cylinder, hammer and both grip straps. Engraved cross hatching appears on the sides of the hammer and on the top of the back strap. The top of the barrel has the one-line Hartford address surrounded by scrollwork. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked "45 CAL." Matching full or partial serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder and barrel. The letter "E" denoting factory engraving is stamped near the serial numbers found on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. Comes with a period partitioned case featuring a cartridge block holding 24 rounds.

Very fine as professionally restored overall, retaining 99% plus of the nickel and gold plating with very limited handing marks and traces of a cylinder drag line. The grip is also very fine with only a couple hairline age cracks on the bottom and highly attractive grain and color. Mechanically fine. The case is fine with a stabilized crack on the lid, minor handling/storage marks and typical high spot wear on the lining. An extraordinary and historically significant, professionally restored, piece of 19th century Colt firearms artwork of which only a few are known to exist!