The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 4 3/4 inch barrel in .41 caliber, blue finish and grips not listed when shipped to Missoula Mercantile Company of Missoula, Montana, on March 22, 1902 as part of a two gun shipment. The Eddy-Hammond Company, more commonly known as the Missoula Mercantile, dominated wholesale and retail trade in the Missoula area from 1885 to 1920, and was known as the "go to" shopping center in the town. Across its three floors of space, the Mercantile offered hardware, plumbing supplies, local groceries, furniture, farm equipment, and of course guns. Over the years stories about the Mercantile have ranged from urban legends of Ringling Brothers elephants being kept in the basement when the circus was in town, to the true story of the passage in the basement used by John Wayne to move between the store and the nearby Florence Hotel when he was in Missoula. The revolver has standard Colt markings, matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard and butt. Fitted with hard rubber checkered grips with the circled Rampant Colt and matching hand-numbered underneath. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Fine with light authentic frontier patina. Faded areas of original blue finish typical of holster wear and callused palms, case colors mostly turned to a gray with scattered areas of freckling and handling marks throughout. Grips are very fine with some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.