The two included factory letters list this revolver in .44-40 with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, nickel finish, pearl grip "with carved American eagle motif", and factory engraving and indicate the revolver was shipped to Charles Hummel & Son in San Antonio, Texas, on May 1, 1890, and was the sole gun of this type in the shipment. Four photographs of the revolver are featured on page 420 of "The Book of Colt Engraving Volume 1" by R.L. Wilson. Charles Hummel & Son was a gun and sporting goods store at 270 West Commerce Street in San Antonio less than a mile from the Alamo. Like many gunsmiths and retailers in Texas, they were of German descent and were active sportsmen and marksmen. In the late 19th century, Texas was still a frontier state, but its population was growing steadily. San Antonio was one of the state's biggest cities and the heart of its large cattle industry. When this revolver was engraved, Cuno A. Helfricht was the lead engraving contractor for Colt. Per R.L. Wilson in "Colt Engraving," only approximately 2,550 Single Action Army revolvers were factory engraved during Helfricht's time engraving at Colt (c. 1871-1921), and only around 1,500 were engraved by 1900. These "engraved" revolvers also include many revolvers that were only factory inscribed rather than engraved. Fewer still would have had factory relief carved grips, and a yet smaller number would have been engraved and carved and shipped to Texas. The revolver features stunning factory engraving consisting of classic scroll patterns with beaded backgrounds, radiating lines, fan and shell patterns, wavy lines, and dot accents. The barrel has a blade front sight, "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. Co HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.-" on top, "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER" on the left, and an ejector with the smaller dished button. The "black powder" frame has the three-line, three-date patent marking on the left. The left side of the trigger guard has "44 CAL." The matching serial number is on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. A "K" is marked by the serial number on the trigger guard. "A" is marked on the back of the cylinder. The loading gate has assembly number "5." The grips are secured by a "blind" screw through the smooth left panel, and the right panel is beautifully carved in raised relief with a spread wing bald eagle on a patriotic U.S. shield, a rare design. Carved pearl grips on antique Colt's are always desirable, and we more often find them with the Mexican eagle or steer head designs. Provenance: The Tommy Rholes Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection

Fine. The engraving and markings remain crisp. 60% plus of the original nickel plating remains with the strongest plating on the barrel and other areas displaying smooth silver-gray patina and some very isolated spots of faint pitting and generally mild overall wear mainly from age rather than use. The grips are very fine and have attractive iridescent colors, crisp carving (even the individual feathers remain distinct), slight flakes at the heel, and minor age and handling related wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a beautiful Texas shipped Colt Single Action Army with crisp deluxe factory engraving and rare relief carved pearl grip.