Factory Engraved and Gold Inlaid Colt New Service Double Action Target Revolver

Offered here is a rare work of Colt artistry. As famed Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted in "The Book of Colt Firearms," less than 75 New Service revolvers were factory engraved and fewer than a combined total of 100 New Services and Shooting Masters were factory inscribed or monogrammed with fewer than 15 revolvers having gold inlay, usually as inscriptions. This wonderful New Service not only features a factory engraving but a gold monogram as well. Manufactured in 1926, it is an exceptional and extremely scarce work of Colt artistry worthy of the finest collection. The revolver is pictured and identified on page 585 of Wilson's "The Colt Engraving Book, Volume Two." The revolver is decorated with a floral scroll engraving on finely stippled background attributed to Colt factory Master Engraver Wilbur Glahn. Glahn was very active from 1920-1950 and was a well-known and favored engraver of Colt pistols. The engraving covers both rear sides of the barrel, the frame sides, the rear of the frame, the flat top strap, the butt, and the trigger guard. Both side of the frame feature a factory gold inlaid "DCA" monogram amongst the scrollwork. The grip straps are checkered. The barrel is fitted with a factory gold bead front sight and an adjustable "U" notch rear sight accented with a small star burst to its rear. The left side of the frame has the standard Rampant Colt. The barrel is stamped with the two-line Colt Hartford address/patent dates marking on top and is stamped "NEW SERVICE" followed by the desirable dual caliber designation "RUSSIAN AND/S&W SPECIAL 44." The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped to D.C. Avery (address unavailable) and shipped to Elmira Arms Co. of Elmira, New York, on September 19, 1928, with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .44 S&W, blue finish, type of stocks not listed, gold bead front sight, factory engraving, and factory inlaid with the initials "D.C.A." This was a single gun shipment.

Condition: Excellent, retaining 97% plus original blue finish with some muzzle wear, a cylinder with drag line and an small area of surface pitting, a few light handing marks, and crisp engraving. The slightly age shrunken grips are exceptionally fine with highly attractive color and grain. Mechanically excellent. A crown jewel in Colt collecting, this rare factory engraved and gold inlaid Colt New Service DA Target Revolver would be hard to improve upon.