This beautiful revolver from 1852 is featured on page 51 of "The Book of Colt Engraving, Volume 1" by R.L. Wilson and described as featuring the early factory "donut scroll" style engraving used in the early 1850s prior to Gustave Young becoming Colt's primary engraving contractor. This style of engraving is believed to have been cut by Thomas J. Barlow who engraved for Blunt & Syms in New York before coming to Hartford and engraving for Colt briefly c. 1852-1854. While revolvers bearing this style of engraving are already scarce, they are especially hard to find in this high of condition. The revolver features stunning scroll engraving, a bestial mask design on the hammer, "SAML COLT" inscribed presentation barrel address, "COLTs PATENT" inscribed in a banner formed by the scrollwork on the left side of the frame, a brass cone front sight, hammer notch rear sight, matching visible serial numbers, the factory "dot" marking above or below the main serial numbers designating the revolver for engraving, and a varnished select walnut grip. It comes in a factory mahogany case with burgundy velveteen lining, early "COLTS/PATENT" eagle powder flask, Eley Bros. cap tin, Colt Cartridge Works cartridge pack, L-shaped combination tool, and lead balls and bullets. Provenance: The Peter Holder Collection; C.W. Slagle; The Greg Lampe Collection

Exceptionally fine with crisp engraving throughout, 95% plus original high polish blue finish on the barrel, 70% plus original blue remaining on the cylinder with some fading to brown patina mainly on the crisp cylinder scene along with some light drag lines, 85% plus original muted case colors, and 97% plus original silver plating remaining on the grip frame with attractive aged patina. The hammer screw is an original Colt screw but is not engraved. The grip is excellent and has essentially all of the original high gloss varnish and only minimal light handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are all very fine and have generally only very minor age and storage related wear.