This fascinating revolver was manufactured in 1876 and features more than 75% coverage factory floral scroll engraving and a gold plated cylinder. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address, and "41 CAL" is marked on the butt. The matching serial number is on the left side of the grip frame, bottom of the barrel, rear face of the cylinder ("025"), and hand marked inside each grip panel. It is fitted with a pair of smooth pearl grips, and the left grip is inscribed to "Annieta Mitchel." It otherwise has standard features. This revolver is pictured on p. 201 of "The William M. Locke Collection" by Frank Sellers, where the serial number is mistakenly listed as "5026." Include with the revolver is a leather wrapped hard case with a cleaning rod and full cartridge block of .41 RF cartridges. In the Locke book, this revolver is described as "presented to Annieta Mitchell by Annie Oakley." Annie Oakley was arguably the most famous sharpshooter in the world in the late 19th century and into the 20th century as part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show as it toured the U.S. and Europe. She was also one of the most popular women of the period, and she used her celebrity status to advocate for women's rights and various charitable causes. A presentation by Oakley to another woman in this period is certainly very fitting. Both Oakley and Buffalo Bill are known to have presented firearms to friends. Precisely who Annieta Mitchel was is unknown. Jim Mitchell (also spelled Mitchel in many sources) of Texas was a bronco rider and the head of the cowboys in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show at the same time as Annie Oakley which certainly makes you wonder if the recipient was related to him, perhaps his wife or daughter. In 1887, Annie Oakley exhibited wing shooting and Mitchell was part of the "Cowboy's Fun" segment of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show performed before Queen Victoria as part of the American Exhibition which was part of the celebrations for Victoria's golden jubilee. Oakley and Mitchell were also both part of the show as it continued to tour Europe, including when Oakley knocked over Prince Luitpold of Bavaria to protect him from a bronco named Dynamite that broke loose during a rehearsal. The prince had been admiring her guns and had asked her to shoot a coin out of the air for a souvenir. The following day he presented her a diamond bracelet and gave Mitchell a cigarette case as a thank you. This revolver is also attributed by the consignor as having been part of Colt's famous "wheel" display which debuted at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The revolver shows all the telltale signs of having been a part of the "wheel" display, and is one serial number away from another New Line .41 revolver documented as being a part of it. The fair presented a tremendous advertising opportunity for American arms companies like Colt and Winchester, both of which displayed elaborate exhibition arms and took in orders, including for high end deluxe arms. Colt's famous display was perhaps the factory’s most spectacular display in its history, and Colt's new smaller pocket revolvers were highly represented. This revolver is one number away (5026, as this revolver was incorrectly listed by Sellers) from a revolver listed on the Oct. 15, 1877, ledger listing revolvers received by Henry Folsom & Co. from and returned to Colt that were previously part of Colt's display at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Also listed on the Folsom & Co. ledger are New Line .41 revolvers serial number 5020, 5021, and 5022, making it highly likely this revolver was also among them. A revolver further down the ledger is listed with a nickel and gold finish and ivory grips, and may have the serial number 5025, though that portion of the ledger is faint. It is very possible that this revolver was originally part of the display and later had its grips changed for the above discussed presentation. The display was built in Hartford specifically for the exposition and received a lot of attention both at the World's Fair itself and into the 21st century as collectors eagerly seek out the historic Colts that made up Colt's most famous display. The display is shown in multiple publications about Colt firearms, including Wilson's books (for example, see page 172 of "Colt: An American Legend.") Some of the "wheel" revolvers were later loaned to the Henry Folsom Co. of St. Louis and were returned to Colt in October 1877, and some remain in the Colt Collection at the Museum of Connecticut History. The consignor also notes that this revolver was present at a large fair in St. Louis in 1877. Provenance: The William M. Locke Collection; The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection

Very fine, retains 90% plus of the original nickel finish and 30% of the original gold plating on the cylinder, primarily in the flutes, with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and crisp engraving overall. The grips are also very fine with a few very light chips at the edges, a crisp inscription, and otherwise light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is good with moderate wear overall.