The included factory letter indicates the revolver was shipped on December 12, 1913, to J.A. Johnston of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in .38 caliber with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, checkered walnut grips, special order checkered grip straps, and blue finish. As discussed on page 46 of "The Colt Engraving Book Volume Two" by R.L. Wilson which features this revolver on page 47, this revolver was customized for target shooter Charles H. Wilson by the shop of Adolph Oscar Zischang in Syracuse, New York, and engraved by Master Engraver Rudolph J. Kornbrath of Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Charles H. Wilson (1871-1941) was a doctor and prominent marksman in Pittsburgh. He was the champion in 1913 and also set the world record with a revolver with a score of 488 out of 500. A composite target of this record was used to advertise Winchester's "Lesmok" cartridges. Zischang was from a long line of gunsmiths in Saxony and immigrated from Germany in the 1870s and worked for Sharps Rifle Company before opening his own shop in the 1880s where he earned a reputation for incredibly accurate barrels and for his single shot rifles in particular. It is rare to find other guns by him, and even rarer to find a Colt handgun. He was a contemporary of Harry M. Pope and George Schoyen. He retired in 1919 and passed in 1925. Dutcher on page 358 and 359 of "Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle" writes that Zischang was an "artist in metal and wood" and "To own a Zischang rifle is much like owning a Rembrandt painting, for his rifles are truly works of art." That could certainly said about this revolver considering it also has the work of one of the early 20th century's finest firearms engravers. Kornbrath was a Ferlach, Austria, trained engraver and came to the U.S. in 1910 and eventually established himself in Hartford, Connecticut, where he was active until suffering a stroke in 1937. He did contract work for Colt and others and also completed private commissions on a variety of firearms. He is noted by many later engravers as an inspiration. In the early 20th century firearms engraving was in decline after its heyday in the late 19th century, but men like Kornbrath kept the art alive and produced amazing firearms art like this revolver. The barrel is inscribed "A.O. ZISCHANG SYRACUSE, N.Y." The left side of the top strap is signed "---R.J. KORNBRATH ENGRAVER ---" in tiny letters, and the right side is inscribed "HARTFORD, CONN." Wilson's "CHW" monogram is inlaid in gold on the butt. The engraving consists of highly detailed, entwining floral scroll patterns covering a third of the barrel, nearly of the frame, and on the side of the cylinder aside from the flutes. The grip straps and trigger are finely knurled. The right grip is has a raised relief carved steer head, and both panels have Colt medallions. Inside they are marked "CHAS. H. WILSON" twice each in blue ink. The revolver comes in a leather-bound shooter's case with two cartridge blocks full off ammunition (some fired cases), a cleaning rod with brush, an upper compartment in the lid with a second rod and patches, and a small compartment with a second brush and tacks. Includes a copy of George Gamble and R.L. Wilson's "A Life's Tapestry of a Collector, The Gamble Collection" where this revolver is pictured and identified on pages 300-303. Provenance: Dr. Charles H. Wilson; The George F. Gamble Collection

Exceptionally fine. The revolver retains 85% plus blue finish and has sharp engraving and markings throughout. There is some fading to smooth gray patina on the trigger guard bow and grip straps. The gold inlay remains bright. The grips are excellent and have crisp carving, attractive natural tones and grain, some patination, and minimal wear. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with moderate handling wear on the handle, some rub wear on the corners, and mild compression marks on the interior from contact with the revolver and ammunition. This is a truly exceptional Kornbrath master engraved Colt Officer's Model owned by one of the world's best revolver shooters in the early 20th century during the heyday of the sport.