The included factory letter confirms the revolver was in .45 caliber with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, "Factory Engraved: Yes, along with the name 'C.C. Crossman' in gold on top of the frame" and that it was "Furnished with a 3 lb. trigger pull" when sold to C.C. Crossman and shipped to Scruggs, Vandervoort, Barney Dry Goods Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, as the only gun of its type in the shipment on March 14, 1907. The engraving consists of panels of classic scrolls with beaded backgrounds on the sides of the barrel and ahead of the address on the barrel, between the cylinder flutes, "X" pattern on the frame at the breech, star patterns just below on the crane and frame, wavy line patterns, gadroon pattern on frame below the cylinder, more classic scroll engraving with beaded backgrounds on the rear sides of the frame as well as the top strap and behind the hammer, and "C.C. CROSSMAN" in gold inlay neatly positioned within the scroll on the top strap. In addition, "World's Indoor Record/Made with this Arm Nov. 15, 1907 by/C.C. Crossman, St. Louis, Mo." was subsequently factory inscribed on the left side of the factory refurbished barrel. The bottom of the barrel is marked with the factory rework six-pointed star followed by the last three digits ("228") of the serial number (17228). The revolver has an adjustable target front sight, "NEW SERVICE 45 COLT" on the left side of the barrel, the two-line address and patent marking ending with the April 9, 1901 patent on the top of the barrel, an adjustable notch target rear sight at the rear of the flat top strap, a six-pointed star and "626" on the bottom of the barrel at the breech (factory refinished, probably from adding the record inscription), matching serial numbers on the frame and crane, the "VP" proof on the left side of the trigger guard, "+COLT'S+/NEW SERVICE" in a circle with the Rampant Colt on the left side of the frame, knurled/checkered front and rear grip straps, and the "fluer-de-lis" style checkered grips without medallions and with "C.C.C." (C.C. Crossman) marked inside each panel. Major Clarence Campbell Crossman (b. 1870) was an ordnance officer and firearms instructor in the Home Guards of Missouri (National Guard) and was also the secretary and later vice president of the Skinner & Kennedy Stationary Company of St. Louis, vice president and then president of the United States Revolver Association, vice president of the National Rifle Association, president of the Mound City Rifle Club, president of the St. Louis Colonial Revolver Club, and an organizer of the St. Louis Trap Shooters Association in addition to various other positions in other civic and social organizations. Crossman's perfect 100 point score for 10 shots at 20 yards on November 15, 1907, is recorded in "Pistol and Revolver Shooting" by A.L.A. Himmelwright. The record is also mention in "Arms and the Man" in 1917 and "Centennial History of Missouri" from 1921. Various additional period articles and publications list his scores, victories, and involvement in other matches, including that he was accidentally shot in the leg by another shooter at a match in 1916. An advertisement by Smith & Wesson in 1911 which notes that "C.C. Crossman, of Missouri, won the United States Revolver Association National Championship, the Gold Medal and custody of the cup with a .38 Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector. His score was 455 out of a possible 500." In 1911, he won the national revolver championship.

Exceptionally fine with crisp engraving, bright gold inlaid name, 85% plus of the factory blue finish, and minor overall wear mainly at the edges and grip areas. The grips are also excellent and have crisp checkering, smooth oiled finish, and light wear at the lower edges. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptional Colt New Service Target revolver in its own right and particularly rare with this level of factory engraving even without the factory gold inlaid inscription. Crossman's name in gold and the subsequently factory applied inscription indicate it was used by him to set an unbeatable world record placing this revolver truly in a class of its own and making it a valuable addition to any Colt collection.