Wilbur Glahn Factory "B" Master Engraved Colt First Generation SAA Revolver with Steer Head Carved Ivory Grips

This stunning factory engraved Colt Single Action Army was manufactured in 1926 and is pictured and described in "The Colt Engraving Book, Volume Two" by R. L. Wilson on page 574 along with the matching engraved blue and casehardened revolver in the previous SKU as a comparison of Wilbur A. Glahn's engraving. The pair has been together for decades in the legendary Brig & Louis Pemberton Collection. The included factory letter lists the revolver in .38/40 caliber with a 5 1/2-inch barrel, nickel finish, carved steer head ivory grips, and grade 2 (B) factory engraving when it was the sole gun of this type in a shipment to L. G. Garcia (address unavailable) on November 18, 1926. In the included research binder, Brig Pemberton theorized that the revolver was shipped to Les Garcia, son of Guadalupe Garcia who was one of the top saddle makers of the era and operated a shop in Elko, Nevada. Mr. Pemberton wrote that it is assumed that the revolver was for him to carry and show off their elegant holsters. Leslie Francis Garcia (1901-1987) and his brothers took over the family business and moved to California. R. L. Wilson on page 385 of "The Colt Engraving Book, Volume One" wrote, "The grand total of engraved Single Action Army revolvers (excluding the Bisley Model and Flattop Target Model) from 1873 through 1940 is approximately 3,000. A number of these also included hand engraved inscriptions or monograms. For the period of Cuno Helfricht (through c. 1921) the total of factory engraved Single Action Army revolvers was approximately 2,550..." That leaves less than 500 for subsequent years leading up to World War II while Glahn was engraving for Colt. Others estimate as many as 4,500 engraved First Generation Single Action Army revolvers, but that still accounts for only approximately 1.26% of production. The revolver exhibits simple and beautiful factory “B” engraving consisting of flourishes of scrollwork with textured backgrounds and floral accents along with a wavy line border on the cylinder and chevron designs at the top of the back strap and heel in Glahn's iconic style. The barrel has the one-line address on top and “38 W.C.F.” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by the Rampant Colt trademark. The left side of the trigger guard has the number “3” above the triangular "VP" proof mark. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame and right side of the trigger guard and back strap under the grip panel. The matching assembly number “108” appears on the rear of the frame and loading gate. The revolver is fitted with a beautiful pair of factory ivory grips with silver Colt medallions and a raised relief carved longhorn steer head carved on the right. A copy of the receipt for the purchase of the revolver from Clark V. Cail, Inc. on 9/4/85 is included along with a Commonwealth of Massachusetts customer record form for the revolver from the following day. More pictures coming soon!