The Colt Single Action Army Revolver is one of the most iconic historical firearms and is forever connected to the American West. Its legacy as a working man's gun in rough circumstances has made them particularly desirable for collectors, and the limited factory engraved guns especially so, especially if they feature other rare and distinctive features. This revolver features beautiful factory engraving, nickel finish, and Rampant Colt medallion pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel finish, factory engraving, and pearl grips. The revolver was sold to Valley Junction Hardware Co. and shipped to Shapleigh Hardware Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, on June 27, 1913. This was a single gun shipment. It has been estimated that only around 4,500 or 1.2% of the total First Generation Colt Single Action Army Revolvers manufactured were engraved. The Colt factory "B" engraved coverage consists mostly of scrollwork on a punch dot background along with zig-zag line and dot motifs on the ejector rod housing, top strap, cylinder and grip straps and fan patterns on the recoil shield and loading gate. The patterns are consistent with the work of the famed Cuno Helfricht shop. Helfricht spent his nearly 50 year career exclusively with the Colt firm (1871-1921). 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. The barrel is marked "45 COLT" inside a banner on the left side and has an engraved star burst followed by the two-line Hartford address on top. The left side of the frame carries the two-line patent dates marking inside a banner followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. The factory documented pearl grips with Rampant Colt medallions are numbered to the gun in pencil on the back of both panels. Additional full matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap.

Excellent, retaining 95% plus bright original nickel plating with a cylinder drag line and some scattered mild flaking heavier on the back strap. The engraving is crisp. The screws and cylinder pin retain nearly all original nitre blue. The grips are also excellent with highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. An outstanding example of Colt artistry in the early 20th century worthy of the finest collection.