The factory letter lists this exceptional antique Colt in .45 caliber with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, silver finish, and pearl grips and as sold to Fred Wilson (address unavailable) and shipped to Simmons Hardware Company in St. Louis on November 23, 1898. Also, a factory note dated November 21, 1898 stating: "Pearl Slivers furnished by S.H. Co.". The barrel has the standard blade front sight and factory address, "45 COLT" on the left, and ejector with small dished button. The "smokeless" frame has the two-line patent marking and circled Rampant Colt on the left and the assembly number "255" on the loading gate, and matching serial numbers are on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The lovely pearl grips have "Simmons" and "238" marked inside on both panels. With no information available to help identify the original owner other than a name, which of the great many Fred Wilsons in the U.S. owned this extraordinary Colt is anyone's guess. Whoever he was, he clearly took great care of this revolver and used it little if at all. Silver plated antique Colt Single Actions are very hard to find, particularly in high condition, and many of the silver Colts are engraved guns not "plain" revolvers like this one.