Offered here is the embodiment of "a steel canvas" a spectacular piece of early 20th century American fine art by famed Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht. Helfricht was Colt's longest tenured in house master engraver who had literal hands on experience with the transition from percussion to cartridge revolvers and eventually automatic pistols. It is safe to say that no other engraver knew the lines of the 19th centuries most iconic firearm: the Colt 1873 Single Action Army better than Helfricht, and it is with great pride and pleasure we present this virtually flawless example executed by his own hand. During his tenure with Colt, Helfricht saw the transition from percussion to cartridge firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved firearms. At the height of the firearm engraving fad, Helfricht oversaw a shop of six engravers. By the turn of the century, experts believe that Helfricht did most of the work himself with the help from one to two assistants. Helfricht's successor's included famed Colt engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough. The accompanying factory letter confirms the engraving, 5 ½ inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel plating, pearl stocks with carved steer head motif and engraving. The revolver was shipped to Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, on December 12, 1908. The embellishment consists mostly of Helfricht’s signature floral scrollwork on a punch dot background along with zig-zag line motifs. As mentioned in the factory letter, the grips are pearl and feature the highly desirable factory relief carved steer head on the right panel. As Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted, only "a few" SAAs had factory hand carved steer head motif grips. The relief carving is especially rare on pearl grips. The left grip panel has an “ABW” monogram highlighted in black enamel. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” marked on the left side. The left side of the frame has the three date, three-line patent marking followed by a circled Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has Colt factory triangle proof and “6.” Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The trigger guard serial number is inside an engraved banner. Using the most liberal statistics only 2,500 1st Generation Colt SAAs of the 357,800 manufactured were factory engraved.

Excellent, to near mint with 98% plus bright, untouched original nickel plating with only a faint cylinder drag line. The grips are very fine with minimal surface chipping and repaired chip visible at the top, crisp carving and highly attractive fiery colors. Easily one of the finest Helfricht SAAs in extant. The extraordinary condition alone puts this Helfricht revolver in a category all on its own. You will be hard pressed to find a better example.