This Colt New Army and Navy Model Revolver is a stunning example of the 19th century master engraver's art; this fully decorated revolver features a gold-plated cylinder, pearl grips carved with an American Eagle and Shield and flush, gold inlaid, six-line, inscription. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 4 1/2 inch barrel in .38 caliber, gold plated cylinder, inscription and engraving. The revolver was shipped to J.F. Schmelzer & Sons Arms Co. of Kansas City, Missouri, on July 29, 1898. The inscription: "PRESENTED TO/CAPTAIN FRED A. LAMB/BY HIS/GUN CLUB FRIENDS/KANSAS CITY, Mo./1898". The revolver is fully engraved with the scroll and punch dot style associated with the master, Cuno A. Helfricht. The exceptional quality of the engraving and the gold inlay indicates that the work was personally executed by Cuno Helfricht. Colt factory documentation states this revolver was shipped from Colt to the J.F. Schmelzer Arms Co., in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 29, 1898 and describes the revolver as engraved, with gold-plated cylinder, carved American eagle pearl grips and gold inlaid inscription to Captain Lamb. This historic and elaborately decorated revolver is illustrated and described on page 468 of THE COLT ENGRAVING BOOK, VOL I and page 327 of COLT ENGRAVING by Colt historian R.L. Wilson. Fred A. Lamb was Police Commissioner of Kansas City, Missouri and served for 27 years in the 3rd Infantry Regiment, Missouri National Guard where he rose to the rank of colonel. This exceptional revolver showcases all of the decorative elements found on the finest Colt handguns: profuse engraving, gold inlays, gold plated finishes, carved, special order grips and presentation inscriptions. Rarely are all these elements present on a single firearm. This revolver represents the finest work that Colt produce at a time when the quality of Colt's workmanship was at its zenith.

Exceptionally fine, overall. This revolver is all original and retains 75% plus of the high-polish blue finish on the frame and barrel. The revolver shows only light handling wear. The finish is thin on the grip straps and there is some minor age-spotting on the barrel. The cylinder has 85% of the original gold-plating with some edge wear on the face with some very minor flaking on the forward portion of the cylinder. The attractive pearl grips are in very fine condition with a chip on top left panel. This unique and historic revolver is one of the most elaborately engraved and inlaid Colt Double Actions extant. Reportedly has the longest gold inlaid inscription of any pre-war Colt!