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Presentation Colt Woodsman .22 LR #137282

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Presentation Colt Woodsman .22 LR #137282
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A copy of a factory letter dated Dec 29, 1958 confirms sold to R.G. Colt (Colt descendant/shipped to London Armory CO London England June 16, 1939. Our records also indicate this pistol was engraved on the right side of the slide "Brian Gray from Russell G. Colt. no other info was indicated in the factory ledgers. Letter addressed to Jean Caillouct early California Collector signed by R. H Wagner. This woodsman was at one point in another early Colt collection of Keith Coulter in Santa Barbara. and recently discovered in this area. Russell G. Colt was the son Samuel Romeroy Colt and great grand nephew for Samuel Colt. He was a prominent Stock Broker who married Ethel Barrymore the actress in 1909 which was turbulent affair in society news. He remarried in 1940 to Gendelin Gray and her adult son was Brian Gray to whom it is presumed a wedding gift. Russell and family were located in London for a time after 1940 hence the British proofs and "not English made" required to import a fireman to England. The pistol is finely engraved in scroll and game scenes which I attribute to Gough to whom special order and high grade extra deluxe arms were shipped by the Colt Factory at this time. The top of the breach area is gold inlaid in block letters J.L. Brown which is incorporated in the engraving and not an after thought. The game scenes and scrolls are beautifully executed as well as could be done. The condition is fine to excellent with 98% original finish excellent grips. Just minor handling and use. Interior is excellent with bright bore and muzzle shows original bright polish dulled only slightly. I last viewed this fine woodsman in Keith Coulters Collection at about the turn of 2000 when I helped him sell his colts and powder testers. He had promised this aforementioned pistol to a friend in Santa Barbara Arms Collectors Assoc of which we both were long time members. This collector specialized in semi auto pistols and passed away recently leaving woodsman #137282 in his estate. Conclusion: I feel this is the most significant Colt pre-war pistol to surface in the last decade suitable for a cover article in an Ammo's magazine and inclusion in a sophisticated Colt or institutional collection.
Condition is NRA Excellent
Modern Firearm - C&R Eligible