Description
Some guns you admire. Others you remember. This pair? You talk about them.
Crafted in 1982, the Colt Single Action Army Engraved Sampler Pair isn’t just another limited edition—it’s a heartfelt tribute to the artistry and tradition that built the Colt name. Commissioned for Stan Newman, then head of Colt’s Parts Department, this sequentially numbered set brings together two of the company’s master engravers in one remarkable showcase of style, history, and craftsmanship.
Let’s break it down.
One revolver was brought to life by Dennis Kies, and the other by George Spring. Each artist left his mark—literally. Kies’s work is stamped “KIES COLT ENGRVR” on the butt and is finished with elegant gold accents (nicknamed “gold/A”), while Spring’s version (“silver/B”) carries the same personalized touch, but in a cooler silver tone. Both are built on black powder-style frames, with heat-blued screws and small parts that harken back to Colt’s 19th-century heyday.
But there’s more beneath the surface.
Look closely at the back straps and you’ll find a commemorative 150th-anniversary design—subtle but meaningful. The left grips pay homage to Colt’s deep bench of engraving talent, featuring the names of other legendary factory engravers, connecting these revolvers to the larger Colt story. It’s a nod from one generation of artists to the next.
And then there’s the display. Oh, the display.
These beauties come nestled in a French-fitted hardwood case lined in deep blue velveteen—soft, rich, and protective. At the center, a hand-engraved silver plaque reads simply: “Colt / Engraving / Sampler.” No fanfare, no fluff. Just a clean statement that says, “This matters.”
Each revolver is also accompanied by its original box, keeping the set intact and complete. Whether you’re drawn to them for their aesthetic grace, their place in Colt’s lineage, or their personal connection to the people behind the scenes, this pair tells a story that goes beyond steel and scrollwork.
Call it a collector’s dream, a gunsmith’s love letter, or a museum piece in waiting. However you frame it, one thing’s clear—this Sampler Pair isn’t just part of Colt history.
It is Colt history.
