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Exceptional Gough Factory Engraved Colt First Series Pre-Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Exceptional Gough Factory Engraved Colt First Series Pre-Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory
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Estimate: $25000 - 45000
This is an excellent example of a Gough factory engraved Colt Pre-Woodsman pistol manufactured in 1917. The muzzle end, rear sides of the barrel, frame and slide are very nicely engraved with floral scroll designs with a matte background. The top of the barrel is marked "COLT'S PT. F.A. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A./PATENTED DEC. 22, 1903" in a panel with simple line and leaf designs extending to the front sight. The left side of the slide is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC/CAL. 22 LONG RIFLE" with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations with a matte background. The thumb safety is engraved with the same floral scroll design. The underside of the frame, trigger guard and front strap are decorated with zigzag bordering and the back strap has a wedge of floral scroll engraving with a simple line and zigzag border. The back of the slide has a matte finish and the rear of the frame has a target motif. The serial number is marked on the front strap. Elevation adjustable front and windage adjustable rear sights, smooth trigger, oval checkered panel on the back strap, two tone Colt marked magazine and fitted with checkered walnut grips. The accompanying factory letter verifies the serial number, caliber, barrel length, finish as Green (soft), grips as "Not Listed", that it was sold to Murta Appleton & Company, Philadelphia, Pa., shipped to W.H. Gough, Utica, New York on March 19, 1917 as 1 of 7 guns. The remarks state "The word 'Green' which appears with the finish indicates subject pistol was shipped without final finishing for engraving outside of our factory." As noted above, this particular pistol was sent to W.H. Gough, who was an engraver for Colt's during this time period. It should be noted that during that time period guns were not engraved at the factory, but sent to individuals who worked for and outside the company's factory. That was factory engraving of the time. The pistol is complete with a original black hinged lid box numbered to the gun with side lid label reading "ENGRAVED" and the other end label "COLT AUTOMATIC PISTOL/Long Rifle .22". The inside of the lid and box have the correct affixed "Colt's Revolvers" and "This Medallion" labels. Also in the box is the "special instructions" pamphlet, manual and hanging tag.
BBL: 6 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 22 LR
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 6183
Condition: Near new with only slight handling/storage marks. The box is very good with heavy wear and separation on one of the lid corners, some flaking of the outer paper covering, a separation of one of the interior side walls and a tape repair on another. This is definitely among the finest factory engraved Pre-Woodsman pistol in existence engraved by Master Colt engraver William Gough.