Originally manufactured as a percussion "Pocket Model of Navy Caliber" revolver, this example was one of approximately only 2,000 converted to the 4 1/2 inch octagon barrel .38 rimfire configuration c. 1873-1875. These revolvers had no ejector attached to the barrel and had their loading lever cutouts filled. Adding to the rarity is the attractive factory engraving consisting of mostly floral scrollwork along with floral blossoms on the barrel lug, cross hatching and fan motifs on the back strap, line and dot patterns, and wolf head on the rimfire hammer. The small "E" used by Colt to designate special finish or engraving is stamped below the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap serial numbers. These serial numbers are matching. The cylinder is also numbered to the gun. The top barrel flat is marked "ADDRESS COL. SAML. COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA", "COLTS/PATENT" on the left of the frame, "36 CAL" on the left of the trigger guard, and "COLTS PATENT/No. 159" on the cylinder along with the stagecoach holdup scene. The front sight is a period addition. With a rare floral and dog tooled leather holster by E. L. Gallatin & Co. of Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. The belt loop is marked ""GALLATIN & CO/MAKER." The front of the holster has carries a brass retailer plaque indicating it was sold by the famed gunsmithing and outfitting firm of F.W. Freund & Brothers. Like many in the American firearms industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Freund brothers Frank W. and George were German immigrants. They had various temporary shop locations as they followed the Union Pacific westward and established more permanent shops in Denver, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they regularly modified firearms, particularly Sharps rifles, to fit their customer's needs and designed new sights. This rare revolver of Colt factory artistry certainly has the appearance of spending time on the Western frontier.

Fine as a high art firearm displaying an overall classic patina of a period "working man's" trusty sidearm with the barrel retaining 80% original nickel finish and the grip straps retaining 20% original silver plating and proving all art does not hang on a wall. The grips are very fine with some typical age lines and highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. The rare holster is very good with a legible maker marking. A seldom encountered factory engraved Colt Pocket Navy 4 1/2 inch conversion revolver with equally rare Freund & Brothers retailer marked E.L. Gallatin & Co. holster.