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LOT 131
Stunning, Near Mint, Wilbur Glahn Factory “A”
Engraved First Generation Colt Single Action
Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no.
357114, 38 Special cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut grips. The factory letter
states the revolver was sold and shipped to Murta,
Appleton & Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on
September 1, 1939. This was the sole gun in the
shipment. The letter also confirms the 5 ½ inch
barrel in .38 caliber, plain wood stocks, and factory
type “A” engraving with finish not listed. The blue
and casehardened finish on this revolver is most
certainly original. The revolver is featured in R.L.
Wilson’s “The Colt Engraving Book, Volume Two” on
page 583 where Wilbur Glahn is cited as the master
engraver behind this work of fine Colt artistry.
Though highly sought after today, the popularity
of engraved firearms decreased in the late 19th
century and into the 20th century. 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. 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, and very few remain in mint condition
like our current piece.
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