This is one of approximately 200 of Colt's Model 1877 revolvers that were chambered in .32 Long Colt and nicknamed the "Rainmaker" per Sutherland and Wilson on page 325 of "The Book of Colt Firearms." Making this specific example even rarer is the fact that it is factory engraved and exhibiting patterns executed by the famed Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht. Cuno Helfricht spent his nearly 50 year career exclusively with the Colt firm (1871-1921). During his tenure with Colt, Helfricht saw the transition from percussion to cartridge firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved firearms. At the height of the firearm engraving fad, Helfricht oversaw a shop of six engravers. By the turn of the century, experts believe that Helfricht did most of the work himself with the help from one to two assistants. Helfricht's successors included famed Colt engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough. The factory engraving on this Rainmaker is similar to engraving patterns seen on other Helfricht embellished Model 1877s as pictured on page 458 of R.L. Wilson's "The Colt Engraving Book." The majority of the engraving features fine floral scrollwork on a punch dot background. Fan patterns adorn the recoil shield and loading gate, while zig-zag line patterns decorate the back strap, trigger guard, top strap, and ejector rod housing. The alternating patterns between the cylinder flutes are particularly interesting as they match the embellishment on no. 89034, a Rainmaker Helfricht engraved, pictured in the aforementioned book (page 458). The scroll pattern closely mimics pattern used on no. 77562 also pictured on page 458 of the aforementioned book. In "The Book of Colt Firearms," R.L. Wilson noted total factory engraved Model 1877s represented about 250 chambered in .38 caliber and 475 chambered in .41 caliber. Wilson, however, does not provide production numbers for factory engraved Rainmakers. Given the fact that Rainmakers on a whole represented a limited number of production units to the Model 1877 line, it is therefore without question that factory engraved Rainmakers are extremely rare. Knowledgeable collectors put the number at no more than 6. The factory letter states the revolver was shipped on August 6, 1892, to Hartley & Graham. This was a single gun shipment. The letter confirms the 4 ½ inch barrel in .32 caliber, nickel finish, and factory engraving with the type of stocks not listed. The barrel has the two-line Hartford address on top and "COLT D.A. 32" in a banner amongst the scrollwork on the left side. The left side of the frame carries the three-line patent dates marking followed by an encircled Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers appear on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, and cylinder. The revolver wears a set of bird head pearl grips. Brig Pemberton acquired the revolver in 1995. The open top leather holster is marked "114C/5" on the back. Provenance: The Brig & Louise Pemberton Collection