The factory letter lists this revolver as one of two in a shipment to Simmons Hardware Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 12, 1879, in .45 caliber with nickel finish, pearl grips, and factory engraving. The barrel length was not listed. Based on the information listed on page 228 of "Colt's Double-Action Revolver Model of 1878" by Don Wilkerson, this revolver is one of only nine factory engraved and nickel plated Model 1878s with 5 1/2 inch barrels and pearl grips out only a total of 284 Model 1878 revolvers that were factory engraved making this revolver a true rarity even without its fascinating inscription. The revolver features stunning factory "C" style engraving executed in the shop of Cuno A. Helfricht who engraved for Colt from 1871 to 1921. The patterns are primarily foliate scrollwork with beaded backgrounds, but the revolver also featured wavy line patterns, panels of crosshatching and dots, and floral motifs. The barrel has a blade front sight and the one-line address. The left side of the trigger guard has "45 CAL." The matching serial number is on the loading gate and the butt. The latter is also fitted with a lanyard ring. The back strap has the period inscription "John H. Burns" in script. The original owner is attributed as John H. Burns (1850-1931) who was born in Indiana and lived for a time in Kankakee County, Illinois, as a young man where he studied law. He made a name for himself in the legendary frontier town of Deadwood, Dakota Territory, as an attorney at law, judge, author, and rancher. His life is detailed in an extensive research binder compiled by Greg Lampe which includes a biography written by Lampe that provided much of the details that follow. Lampe's notes indicate the revolver was owned by J.E. Cole of Orange, Texas, and then by George Jackson of Texas for many years before it became part of his collection. Burns visited Deadwood in the summer of 1876 during the gold rush and rode out to the Little Bighorn to report on the Custer massacre for the local newspaper and picked up multiple artifacts from the site. He became an attorney in Deadwood in 1877 using the General Custer House as his office and soon became the district's prosecuting attorney. He also continued to write for the local newspapers as well as an occasional contributor to the Chicago Tribune and was active in Republican politics. He also befriended members of the Sioux tribes, learned their language, wrote a dictionary, and acted as an interpreter. One story from 1877 has him brandishing two Colt six shooters when threatened by a witness in a case and his friends en route to the courthouse. An included copy of an article from the Chicago Tribune dated July 19, 1878, about a trip to the Black Hills notes: "Mr. John H. Burns is a native of Kankakee, and first practiced law in Chicago. Coming here with the rush, he was made the Prosecuting Attorney of the Black Hills, and, with pluck and bravery worthy of a knight of history, sent thirteen horse-thieves, murderers, and road-agents to jail in the first term. Although his office is often filled by angry thugs, armed to the teeth, who were going to clean him out, the sight of John's big self-cocking six shooter slightly disturbed them." Clearly Burns had a thing for double action six guns, and this incredible revolver would have suited him just fine. He was noted as fearless and was also an avid hunter and marksman, and set out on his own into the dangerous plains. In addition to his work as a prosecutor, he continued to operate his own law office which moved to a building on Main Street. A legal expert and community leader, he was also involved in numerous other civic affairs, including leading the commission that formed the town's formal fire department in May 1878 and chairing the board that hired the city night watchmen in 1878. Despite the new fire department, his office burned in a fire on September 26, 1879. Not one to be held back by misfortune, he rebuilt the "Burns Block." Around that time he likely received this spectacular revolver. Perhaps it was purchased to replace his "big self-cocking six shooter" that was lost in the fire, or maybe he just wanted an upgrade before he took a long trip the following year after losing the election for probate judge. He traveled, hunted, visited with Native Americans, made a trip back to Chicago, and then prospected in Hailey, Idaho, got injured in a stagecoach crash, and then returned to the Dakota Territory in early 1883 where his father's health was failing. Burn's worked on his family's ranch and farm near Spearfish. He sold his building in Deadwood, but he was soon back in politics and legal work. In 1890, he returned to Deadwood and was appointed as commissioner of the U.S. Circuit Court of Western South Dakota. He was also made aide-de-camp to Governor Mellette and reported on the conditions on the Pine Ridge Reservation and also tried to keep the peace but was unable to prevent the cycle of escalation that led to the Wounded Knee Massacre and was himself involved in some of the fighting and was recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor by Captain John B. Kerr of the 6th Cavalry who wrote, "Colonel John H. Burns, A.D.C., to Governor Melett (sic), of South Dakota accompanied the command and showed himself to be an efficient aid. He rendered valuable service with his rifle." He returned to his law career and was married in 1897. They built a new home at 67 Stewart Avenue in Deadwood. Burns wrote "Memoirs of a Cow Pony as Told by Himself" published in 1906 (copy included). Sometime between 1910 and 1920, he and his family moved to Tampa, Florida, and he operated an automobile business and limousine service. In 1923, he and the family moved again, this time to Inglewood, California, and worked in real estate and as a lawyer. He retired by 1930. He died the following September on the 14th. Provenance: The J.E. Cole Collection; The George Jackson Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection

Excellent with 95% plus original untouched nickel plating, some minor flaking mainly on the cylinder, crisp markings and engraving, and generally minimal overall wear. The grips are also excellent and have attractive natural iridescence, light surface scratches, slight flaking at the toe, and light handling wear. Mechanically fine. This is a stunning revolver with distinct inscription to John H. Burns and extensive research from Greg Lampe.