Offered here is a highly desirable early production, three-digit serial number 529, Colt Single Action Army revolver manufactured in 1873, the first year of production. It features the retailer marking "B. KITTREDGE & CO" on top of the barrel. The approximate first 3,500 Single Action Army revolvers were manufactured in the first year of 1873, according to page 39 of "The Official Record of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver 1873-1895" (2008) by the Wilkersons and Hoyt. The accompanying factory letter states this revolver was shipped on December 28, 1875 to B. Kittredge & Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, in .45 caliber and blue finish, with barrel length and type of grips not listed, a common indication of a 7 1/2 inch barrel and a walnut grip, which were standard for the period. The shipment was for 50 guns, and included the revolver in the following lot, serial number 1341. Of interesting note, this 1873 production revolver was shipped from Colt two years after its original manufacture, and has the factory updated leads on the cylinder notches which were implemented around the same time of its shipment. Benjamin Kittredge & Co. were major firearms retailers and agents in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the second half of the 19th century. Many guns that passed through their warehouse ended up further west, and Kittredge is credited with nicknaming several models such as the Colt "Peacemaker" in reference to these Single Action Army revolvers. The Colt Single Action Army was one of the most popular handguns in the late 19th century, and is easily the most iconic and most thoroughly associated with the American West. This early production example was manufactured in a time when much of the West remained untamed, and it certainly has the classic charming look of an authentic western gun. It has an unidentified inspector initial "O" on the trigger guard. The top of the barrel has the noted Kittredge marking ahead of the script one-line Colt Hartford address, the left of the frame has the two-line patent dates, "45CAL" marked on the left of the trigger guard, matching visible serial numbers marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, cylinder, and butt, with assembly number "101" marked on the loading gate. It is fitted with blade and groove sights and a smooth walnut one-piece grip. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection