Exquisite Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Bridgeport Rig Stud 1877

serial #39797, Show manufacturer in 1877 According to Colt website. 45 Colt, 7 1/2'' barrel with a very fine bore which is mostly bright with crisp rifling but also shows scattered spots of oxidation and scattered pinprick pitting (a little more moderate nearer the muzzle). The metal surfaces retain 99% plus post-engraving blue (the tiniest ghost of a turn ring is faintly evident). This is a superb revolver and has overall coverage of tight flowing, excellent quality scroll with tiny striated background accenting shading. There are dual inlaid gold wire bands at the muzzle and gold wire inlays outlining barrel, ejector rod housing, barrel address, nearly all the facets of the frame, triggerguard and backstraps. There are no less than 38 of these gold wire inlays, dependent upon how one decides to delineate the start and stop point of each. There is additional geometric engraving and checkering along the frontstrap of the gun and when the hammer is cocked, the flats hidden beneath the frame are very neatly, very finely jeweled. The revolver wears a very handsome set of foliate scroll-carved antique ivory grips with background stippling; they are un-numbered but their fit is precise and give this revolver a stunning contrasting look, the cream color of the ivory grips blending with the gold and contrasting nicely with the deep rich blued finish. Additionally the left side of the frame has been fitted with an engraved blued steel Bridgeport stud, done at the time of the engraving, which would engage the chromed spring steel clip on the gun belt of a Bridgeport rig. For the unfamiliar, the Bridgeport rig was a holsterless system of carrying your peacemaker (or other arm) on your hip which allowed it to be drawn quickly without being impeded by gun leather, or the arm could merely be pivoted on the rig itself and fired from the hip. This miraculous revolver is strangely unsigned, the workmanship however is absolutely stunning and flawlessly executed by a hand who knew their business exceedingly well. The Bridgeport stud makes the revolver all-the-more endearing. An exceptional revolver. ANTIQUE