MODEL FLAT TOP TARGET REVOLVER W/ BOX & FACTORY LETTER ORDERED FOR LOAN ACCOUNT. S# 20240. Cal. 22 LR. Target configuration with blue finish and 6" tapered bbl. Adjustable blade Patridge target front sight and windage adjustable rear sight in dovetail on frame. Bbl. has period 2 line address on top surface and marked “COLT /OFFICERS MODEL/ .22 LONG RIFLE†on the left side. Left side plate has the Colt trademark Rampant Colt framed in a punch dot diamond. Blued trigger has checkered face, hammer is polished bright on sides with blued top & rear edges. Top flat of the frame and rear of the frame are matte finish with tasteful engraving flourishes. Backstrap is checkered. Factory engraved most likely by William Gough and ordered with class “B†coverage consisting of flowing acanthus scrolls in punch dot background on frame, barrel and appended surfaces. Revolver mounted with factory 2 piece pearl grips with Rampant Colt silver medallions and a raised carved eagle on the right panel. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which specifies Caliber 22 with 6" bbl, Blue Finish, Pearl Stocks, Class “B†Engraving and shipped to Loan Account; Spaulding W. Arms, Salt Lake City, Utah on May 31, 1938 in a one gun shipment. Remarks section indicates that the revolver was returned to the factory on Feb 1, 1939 and reshipped 6 additional times on loan for display to important Colt dealers around the country. The revolver's final shipment was on April 5, 1940 to the Bacharach Raisin Company in Baltimore, MD. Also accompanied by the original Colt burgundy hinged lid cardboard box with black & white end label identifying this revolver. Additionally there are 3 black & white over labels, 2 on the end of the lid “TARGET†and “PATRIDGE SIGHTSâ€. The 3rd label is diagonally over the top “ENGRAVED†from which “EN†is missing. This exact revolver is pictured on page 330 of The Book of Colt Engraving (Wilson) and on page 306 of Colt Pistols (Wilson & Hable) wherein it's stated that it is “one of the most traveled of sample gunsâ€. Wilson also observes that this box was shipped 6 or 7 times and shows the travel wear but protected the gun during its travels. Also accompanied by a copy of the Wilson & Hable book in which this fantastic Factory Sales Sample is pictured. CONDITION: appears as new and unfired. Retains virtually all of its original factory finish with sharp engraving and crisp markings. There is only the most faint cylinder line and a small spot or two on left side of the trigger. Grips are excellent, showing great fire and color. Crisp mechanics. Bright bore. Box has rubbed edges and a couple of broken corners with the right end of the top partially detached, otherwise it is intact with mostly legible labels. Inside of box is clean with most print legible. This is the wonderful opportunity to own a pristine Factory Sales Sample exhibiting Colt's best work in the years leading up to WWII. PROVENANCE: R.E. Hable Collection; Vicente Sepulveda Collection. (19-148/TB). CURIO. $17,500-27,500.