Make: Colt

Model: Single Action Army "Frontier Six-Shooter", Adams & Adams Tribute to Cuno Helfricht

Serial Number: AA003 (3 of 25)

Year of Manufacture: 2010

Caliber: .44-40 Winchester

Action Type: Single Action Revolver with Side Loading Gate Cylinder

Barrel Length: 4 3/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a quarter round blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove in the top strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece hand-checkered and carved ivory panels with Colt medallions and fleur de lis accents. The inside of each panel has "03" hand-carved. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Nickel, Fire-Blue Accents

Finish Originality: Original to customization by Adams & Adams

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This revolver retains 99+% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This revolver comes with a two-piece Colt box with serial-matching sleeve, Colt-branded wood display case with a lid displaying the revolver in a green velvet-lined french-fit drawer, Colt Archives letter, and a copy of the Summer 2010 edition of the Guns of the Old West Magazine announcing the Adams & Adams tribute to Cuno Helfricht.

Our Assessment: What a gorgeous revolver! Produced in 2010, the revolver was sent from Colt in the white to John J. Adams as one of 25 revolvers to be engraved as a tribute to Cuno A. Helfricht, a master engraver and the head of Colt's engraving department from 1871 to 1921. John Adams is a great artist to take up this tribute as he is also a master engraver and was a freelance engraver for Colt for years starting in 1976.

In addition to the beautiful "C" coverage engraving done in Helfricht's style, the revolvers were given a nickel finish with fire-blue accents and hand-checkered and carved ivory grips. The revolvers not only have a special serial range from AA001-AA025, they have factory features not found on many Colt revolvers since the 19th Century. The frame is a "Black Powder" style with the cylinder pin retained by a screw, the cylinder bushing is removable, the ejector rod has a "bullseye" style tab and, perhaps most desirable, the barrel has an etched-panel reading "COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER".

The revolver is in Excellent condition, appearing to have spent more time in the included display case than out. This wonderful tribute to Cuno Helfricht with its scarce assortment of factory features will take a prized place in any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!