Page 202 - 83-BOOK1

200
Perhaps even more interesting than gun “A” in this lot, “the first factory engraved Colt Single Action Army recorded by the factory,” is its mate, gun “B” (serial number 32889). Gun “B” features an earlier serial number and earlier frame markings and is undoubtedly factory engraved, most likely by the most prolific 19th century engraver Gustave Young, for exhibition. It is imperative to note that Colt’s records/serial numbers are not necessarily directly
in sequence with production years as they are based on shipping records. So, while “A” is the first revolver in factory shipping records, there are revolvers like “B” that are earlier Single Actions that were factory engraved but either show up as “no record” guns
or letter as shipped in the late 1870s or later. This is especially the case with Colt’s historically significant early factory engraved Single Actions from the 1870s that were factory exhibition pieces. For example, 32915 from our June 2020 auction letters as shipped on December 18, 1878, but it is an 1876 production revolver that was factory engraved. Like the “A” revolver, 32915 was part of a shipment of nickel engraved Colts shipped to B. Kittredge & Co. This shipment consisted of 20 guns. Single Action 32922 is also known to be a part of this December 18, 1878, shipment to B. Kittredge & Co. These revolvers fall late within the 1876 serial number range. It is possible those revolvers along with gun “B” were part of the famous “wheel” display at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and Colt had set aside a block for engraved exhibition guns. If not part of the famous wheel display themselves, they were very likely ordered based on the display given Colt experts have indicated revolvers in this shipment to Kittredge closely matched those in the “wheel.” Known examples from the wheel display were factory engraved, nickel plated, and fitted with ivory grips.
AS PICTURED & DESCRIBED IN "ANTIQUE ARMS ANNUAL" FROM 1971, EDITED BY WILSON