The accompanying factory states the revolver was manufactured in March 1872 but factory records did not provide a shipping date or destination. In the letter S&W historian Roy Jinks states the revolver was engraved by S&W master engraver Gustave Young. Unfortunately, Mr. Jinks did not elaborate on the phenomenal linage and pedigree of this great and rare American serial number 7530. Within this immediate serial number range, 7500-7535, is a very important grouping that headlined S&W's factory exhibit at three separate international exhibitions: the 1872 Moscow Polytechnic Exhibition, Vienna International Exposition of 1873, and the grand Philadelphia Centennial in 1876. The revolver’s mates, serial number 7532 and 7533, are written about at length in "Artistry in Arms: The Guns of Smith & Wesson" by Jinks on pages 66 and 67. Young worked with Smith & Wesson as early as 1865 after serving as Colt's Master Engraver and was the in-house engraver for Smith & Wesson starting in 1869 until his death in 1895. The Gustave Young factory engraving consists of deluxe coverage floral scroll on a punch dot background covering 90% of the surface. Even the hammer is engraved. The two-tone finish consists of a nickel plated frame and a blued barrel and cylinder. Note that one of the revolver’s exhibition mates as documented in “Artistry in Arms” has a two-tone finish in gold and blue. The barrel rib has the one-line legend ending with the 1869 patent date. The barrel latch is stamped with an assembly type marking, "A78." Matching serial numbers are on the butt, cylinder and barrel. Each of the grips features a relief carved patriotic eagle motif near the bottom. In addition, the right grip panel features an additional patriotic eagle motif based on the Great Seal of the United States, and the left panel features a motif based on the Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Smith & Wesson's home state.

Fine. 20% original blue remains in and around the protected areas on the barrel and cylinder with the balance a smooth brown-gray patina. 97% original nickel remains on the frame with flaking mostly on the grip straps. Patterns of original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger guard. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also fine showing typical hairline age cracking and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. Truly a great piece of S&W history! Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.