Lot 43: Factory Engraved Colt 1st Generation Single Action Army Revolver

The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver the 5 ½ inch barrel in .45 caliber, silver finish (currently gold over silver plating), factory engraving and pearl grips with carved ox head motif (wide silver bands have been added to each panel towards the top). 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 revolver was shipped to Cullum & Boren of Dallas, Texas, on June 17, 1912. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” inside a banner on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking inside a banner followed by a circled Rampant Colt. The right side of the trigger guard has a Colt factory rework star. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. Estimates have placed only 2,500 1st Generation Colt SAAs of the 357,800 manufactured as factory engraved. Factory engraved Single Action revolvers are rare and highly desirable.

Very good as period replated, retaining scattered traces of gold in the protected areas, heavier amounts of gold on the hammer and trigger and more than half of the silver with the balance a smooth gray patina. There is light pitting on the cylinder. The grips are very good with a chip near the bottom (right side) and crisp carving with added gold, metal, and jewel ornamentation. Mechanically fine.