This Single Action Army revolver is a phenomenal work of 20th century Colt artistry. Factory engraved SAAs are among the most desirable of all American firearms. Out of the 357,800 manufactured prior to World War II, only an estimated 4,500 were factory engraved. As a firearm shipped twice to the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, this SAA is in a league of its own, a one-of-a-kind historically significant piece of Colt legacy. The accompanying Colt factory letter (copy) states the revolver was shipped on August 15, 1930 to famed National Matches, Camp Perry, Ohio for Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Mfg. Co. on order number 18438/1. This was a single gun shipment. The factory letter confirms the 5 ½ inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, grip material, and factory engraving. The letter also notes, “The records further indicate subject revolver was returned on September 19, 1930. It was subsequently reshipped to the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, on August 17, 1931 where the records note it was sold. At this time, the records indicate the revolver had Class ‘C’ engraving.” In our Premier Firearms Auction #85 held in May 2022 we had the pleasure of cataloging another Glahn masterpiece that was shipped to Camp Perry: a Colt Officers Model Heavy Barrel Target DA revolver (lot 1294, price realized $55,813.00). It was shipped to Camp Perry on August 17, 1936, and this rarely engraved Colt DA revolver also featured a factory class “C” engraving. Since 1907 Camp Perry has hosted the National Matches. Considered America’s “World Series of the Shooting Sports,” the National Matches are held each summer and attract the finest civilian and military marksmen and women to compete in a variety of rifle and handgun competitions. The National Matches were held from August 17 to September 14, 1930 and from August 24 to September 13 in 1931. As confirmed by the factory letter, this SAA left the Colt factory in plenty of time to arrive at Camp Perry for the beginning of the National Matches in 1930 and 1931. This highly embellished revolver would certainly have garnered a lot of attention at Camp Perry. Highly embellished arms made for grand shooting match prizes, but, as confirmed in the factory letter, was sold at the National Matches in 1931. The Class "C" engraving covers 3/4 of the surface in the style of renowned Colt master engraver Wilbur Glahn (1888-1951). From the time he arrived in Hartford in 1919 until the spring of 1950, Wilbur Glahn did the bulk of the engraving for Colt. His death in 1951 signaled the end of one of America’s family dynasties of firearms engravers. He left behind a legacy of high quality craftsmanship and design, which is certainly showcased on this Colt SAA featuring the highest class of engraving Colt offered at the time. The embellishment on this very special, historic revolver represents some of the best workmanship. The embellishment features mostly floral scrollwork on punch dot background, along with a leaf pattern on the back strap and butt. The revolver wears a set of silver Rampant Colt medallion grips, and the right panel features a fantastic relief carved steer head. Although not listed in the factory letter, the carving certainly has all the appearance of being factory, and the quality of carving is undoubtedly in line with the rest of the embellishment. Colt expert and author R.L. Wilson has noted that only a “few” steer head carved grips left the Colt factory (see “The Book of Colt Firearms, page 247). This SAA falls in a serial number range of Glahn engraved specimens fitted with factory relief carved steer head grips. For reference see SAA nos. 343242, 350804, 350327, 352803, 356118, 356293, 263480, and 354042 as pictured and identified in R.L. Wilson’s “The Book of Colt Engraving” (pages 299-307). The barrel has the one-line Colt Hartford address on top and “COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45” on the left side. Both barrel markings are inside floral scroll panels. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent date marking followed by a Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, grip strap, and back strap.

Excellent as a masterpiece of Colt artistry with 99% plus original blue finish and 98% plus vivid original case colors, showing limited handling marks and an extremely light cylinder drag line. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also excellent with some minor handling marks, a few typical age lines, crisp carving, and attractive mellow age color and grain. Mechanically excellent. An outstanding work of Colt factory 20th century artistry, this twice Camp Perry shipped Colt Single Action Army Revolver will make a grand statement to the most advanced public or private collections. The condition and historical significance will be nearly impossible to encounter again.