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 1928 and is pictured and described in "The Colt Engraving Book, Volume Two" by R. L. Wilson on page 574 along with the matching engraved nickel revolver in the next SKU as a comparison of Wilbur A. Glahn's engraving. The pair has been together for decades in the legendary Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection. The included factory letter dated June 29, 1964, lists the revolver in .45 caliber with a 4 3/4-inch barrel, blue finish, ivory grips, and factory engraving when it was the sole gun of this type in a shipment to Abercrombie & Fitch in New York City on June 27, 1936. 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 two-line address on top and “45 COLT” 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 “237” 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. The receipt for the purchase of the revolver from Eric Vaule on 6/9/1964 is included. More pictures coming soon!