The included factory letter confirms this revolver's current configuration, including the engraving and grip material, when shipped to Simmons Hardware Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 5, 1879, as one of a pair. The inscription on the grip was not mentioned in the letter. The revolver features beautiful factory scroll and floral engraving, a rounded blade front sight, "COLT D.A. 41" in an etched panel surrounded by scrollwork on the left side of the barrel, the two-line address on top, the three-line patent marking on the left side of the frame, "41 CAL" on the left side of the trigger guard, matching serial numbers, and smooth grips with the left grip panel inscribed with "Fred L. Seely, Jr." in neatly cut lettering at the top. The history of the inscription is not documented. A prior owner reported that it was owned by a cattleman from the Kansas City area but had no documentation. After acquiring the revolver, Greg Lampe and a private researcher he hired could not tie the revolver to anyone living in the West in the period. In our own research, the only candidate fitting the inscription appeared to be Fred Loring Seely Jr. (1916-1991), a veteran of World War II who inherited the Biltmore Industries complex in Asheville, North Carolina, which had been previously run by his father, Fred Loring Seely (1871-1942). Seely, Jr. sold the property in the 1950s to Harry Blomberg. The family home on Sunset Mountain had been donated in 1948 for use as the first campus of the University of North Carolina. Seely, Jr. retired from the U.S. Navy as a rear admiral was also noted as the former vice-mayor of Asheville and as owning hotels in the town as well as in Daytona Beach, Florida, and the president of the realty firm Seely Associates. The family moved to Tryon in 1975. Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection

Exceptionally fine with 90% plus untouched original nickel plating, some minor flaking, crisp engraving and etched panel, bright original niter blue on the small parts, and minor overall wear. The grips are very fine and have attractive natural tones and grain, minor age stress lines, and a distinct enameled inscription. Mechanically excellent.