Very Rare 1st Shipment Colt Single Action Army Nickel Plated Revolver. Made in 1874. Very early gun, in very fine condition with 80-85% of the original nickel finish. Grips are excellent. This gun came out of an old California collection with another gun that was in the exact shipment. This gun comes with a handwritten letter from noted author Ron Graham, authenticating this gun and explaining its significance. According to Mr. Graham, this gun, along with 4 others, were shipped to Spies Kissam and Company and were all nickel plated. He goes on to say this is the earliest known shipment containing Nickel revolvers. He goes on to describe the gun’s various parts and points out most of these parts were made in 1873, but assembled into this gun in 1874. Mr. Graham also explains the presence of the “U.S.” marked frame as these guns were pulled from the production line of guns made for the military to accommodate Spies Kissams Special order. Interestingly, this gun as well as its mate (that was in the same shipment) both letter with blued finish. In researching this piece, according to The Official Record The Colt Single Action Revolver 1873-1895 by Don & Carol Wilkerson and Kathleen Hoyt, the first shipment of Nickel revolvers occurred on all of these guns on January 6, 1874 with Spies Kissam and Company as the shipping address and 12 guns in a shipment. The finish on all of these guns is factory and while we do not know if this is the shipment or if it is just a very early shipment. Very interesting historic gun and according to Ron Graham a research Bonanza!