This is a nice example of a factory engraved, nickel plated Colt Single Action Army revolver with factory checkered stocks. The included factory letter lists this revolver with .45 caliber chambering, nickel finish, checkered grips, and factory engraving when shipped to Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis on November 7, 1880. This engraved revolver has floral scroll and punch dot patterns on the barrel, cylinder flats and frame, as well as simple line and dot patterns on the ejector housing, trigger guard bow and back strap, a feather design on the top strap, shell designs on the recoil shield and loading gate, and geometric designs on the upper front of the frame. The engraving is very similar to the revolver illustrated on page 82 of "A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver" in Kopec, Graham and Moore and on page 186 of "The Book of Colt Engraving" of R.L. Wilson. The top of the barrel is marked with the one line address, the left side of the frame is marked with the three line patent dates and the left front of the trigger guard bow marked "45 CAL". The complete matching serial number is marked on the frame, trigger guard and back strap with the partial number "2923" is re-marked on the bottom of the replacement barrel under the ejector housing. The cylinder is a renumbered to match replacement. The grips are finely checkered. Complete in a non-factory contemporary walnut case, 6" by 14" and lined with wine colored velvet. The case has five compartments including a block for 21 cartridges. The top of the case is fitted with a 2 inch by 5 inch un-engraved brass plaque.

Fine as restored with most of the replated nickel finish remaining. There is some very minor finish loss on the lower front strap and on the toe of the butt. The factory checkered grips are fine with a few hair line age cracks on the bottoms, a pleasant aged patina (a bit darker on the right side), and very crisp checkering. The markings and engraving are crisp and clear. There is some slight play in the cylinder, otherwise the action is very good. The relined custom case is good overall, the lid loose at the hinges and is warped, partially split with the brass plaque being detached. The lining is very good with some minor contact wear.