The factory letter lists this revolver in .38 caliber with 4 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, gold plated cylinder, pearl grips, and "Factory Engraved: 'Rob't L. Gregory' inlaid on the strap." It was part of a shipment of three guns of this type shipped to J. F. Schmelzer & Sons Arms Company in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 7, 1900. Robert Lee Gregory (1862-1915) was born and buried in Kansas City. His father, William S. Gregory (1825-1887), moved to Kansas City from Kentucky and was elected as the city's first mayor in 1853. Kansas City was an important city in the Old West. By 1900, it was the 22nd largest city in the entire country. After completing his education at Kemper Military School in 1878, Robert Gregory worked in the cattle business in Texas and then returned to Kansas City in 1884 and worked at his father's company, the Gregory Grocery Company, which he took control of in 1890. He was also involved in other local businesses, including as vice president of the Kansas City State Bank, and was involved in politics and held multiple positions, including vice president of the Kansas City Democrat Club in 1900 when Kansas City hosted the Democratic National Convention and commissioner on Kansas City's Board of Police Commissioners in 1897-1902. Research into the other two revolvers in the shipment may indicate the revolvers were related to the Democratic National Convention or Board of Police Commissioners if they were also inlaid with the names of individuals involved in those affairs. This would certainly have been an appropriate revolver to present to a well-connected local businessman and political figure. It has classic factory scroll engraving with primarily punch dot backgrounds on the barrel, cylinder, frame, and grip frame along with banners, wavy line, and floral accents and "ROB'T L. GREGORY" gold inlaid down the back strap in an engraved panel. The barrel and grip straps are blued, the hammer and trigger as well as the screws are niter blued, the cylinder was finished with gold plating over silver plate backing, and the grips are smooth mother-of-pearl. The barrel has a round blade front sight, "COLT'S P.T. F.A. MFG. Co/HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A." marked on top, and "COLT. D.A. 38" marked in an engraved panel on the left. The frame has the patent markings and the Rampant Colt on the left and the assembly number "276" on the loading gate. The matching serial numbers are stamped on the frame, trigger guard, and butt, and the matching partial serial number "295" is written inside each grip panel.

Exceptionally fine with 85% bright original high polish blue finish remaining on the barrel, 60% original blue on the grip straps, 85% original case colors, particularly vibrant original case colors in the sight groove and ahead of the cylinder, strong original niter blue on the smaller parts, bright original gold inlay on the back strap, aged patina on the gold plating on the cylinder of which most remains (with flash burns from firing visible on forward portion and face), smooth gray and brown patina on the areas with faded finish, some light spotting, and general minor wear considering the revolver's age. Most of the wear is concentrated on the grip frame. The engraving and markings are crisp. The grips are also very fine and display highly attractive natural iridescent tones and patterns and minor handling wear. Mechanically fine. Overall, this is an extremely rare, documented, never offered, fresh-to-the-market, special order, factory engraved, and gold inlaid/plated Colt Model 1877 DA Lightning of which writers cannot recall offering another like this one at auction!