Lot 3519

Engraved Gold Inlaid Enforcer Attributed Colt Government Model

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Engraved Gold Inlaid Enforcer Attributed Colt Government Model

Estimate: $8,500 - $13,000

Starting Bid: $7,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Signed Engraved and Gold Inlaid Colt Mk. IV Series 70 Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol Attributed to Houston, Texas, Organized Crime Enforcer Tommy Teutsch with Relief Carved Ivory Grips, Photographs, and Documents Manufactured c. 1975-1976, this Colt Government Model pistol was subsequently embellished in 1976 by an engraver by the name of Stewart, whose initials are "JWS", and the pistol itself is attributed to notorious Houston, Texas, organized crime enforcer and hitman Tommy Teutsch. Born on New Year's Day in 1950, very little is known about the early life of Thomas William Teutsch, but he eventually found his way to a life of crime, becoming known as a cold-blooded killer. It is believed that by the 1970s, Teutsch had become associated with Sam Cammarata, a well-known Houston night club owner who was also known to have multiple connections to the mob. Teutsch himself was the owner of a topless club in Corpus Christi and known to frequent others as well as fancy restaurants, perhaps a good indication of the inspiration behind the engraving on this pistol. In June of 1981, Cammarata sought to solidify the organization of his syndicate with Teutsch as his right hand man and primary lieutenant. The pair met in a Houston hotel room with around 20 other men, essentially organizing a mafia style crime family, with the men signifying their membership in the group with traditional Italian cornicello necklaces. The group became an international drug smuggling organization, operating out of the United States, Mexico, Columbia, and Lebanon, killing any who threatened their business, whether through competition or passing information to law enforcement. Over the course of the remainder of 1981 and into very early 1982, the group killed at least six men, most either orchestrated, overseen, or carried out by Teutsch himself. Eleven members of this syndicate, including both Commarata and Teutsch, were indicted on racketeering charges in June of 1982, with multiple including Commarata appearing to cooperate with authorities. Commarata's testimony also indicated that he had previously provided tips on other mob members and drug smugglers to the FBI prior to his indictment. Tommy Teutsch however failed to appear for court, leaving a staged suicide note and disappearing. In 1983, Commarata was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to 45 years in prison, dying there shortly after. By February of 1985, law enforcement believed Teutsch was still alive and placed him on their "most wanted" list, again noting that he frequented nice restaurants and topless bars, as well as stating "He always carries firearms and should be considered armed and dangerous." In a newspaper article from January 1988 it is noted that Teutsch had died of a heart attack while undergoing a disc surgery on his back in Jalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, stating that agents had previously spotted him there and in Mexico City, likely continuing his illicit activities outside the reach of U.S. law enforcement. The article also notes that he "was proficient in the use of all firearms, particularly a .45 caliber automatic," quite possibly this one. The engraving on this pistol is signed "ENGRAVED BY STEWART" near the serial number on the right of the frame and "JWS-76" on the right of the slide, indicating that it was embellished very shortly after the pistol itself was manufactured. The primary theme of the pistol is nudity and sex, a solid indication this pistol was made for Tommy Teutsch, who operated a topless club at the time. The left side of the slide features a reclined nude woman, while the right features a gold inlaid sex scene featuring two men and two women. The right rear of the slide is gold inlaid with a cannabis leaf and the words "NICOTIANA/CANNABIS". The top of the slide features four more gold inlaid nude figures, a man representing the devil with two women and another woman on her own. The front edge of the slide is engraved "WELCOME TO HELL". The front grip strap has another gold inlaid nude woman and a cobra snake. All of these scenes are on matted backgrounds and surrounded by floral scrollwork. The right side of the frame has the standard one-line Colt address and the serial number, while the chamber hood of the barrel has the Mk. IV Series 70 markings. The frame and slide have once been gold washed, now showing mostly a bright grey patina, apart from the gold inlays, while the remaining components are gold plated. It has standard features as well as a pair of relief carved ivory grips featuring a nude woman on the right panel in a forest scene and a nude woman and a satyr on the left panel. Included with the pistol is a period newspaper, photographs of Teutsch's body, copies of his "wanted" poster/flier, and a period double-exposed photo featuring Teutsch smiling and pointing a gun at the camera by Sunny Schwab.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Government

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 45 ACP

Finish: gold

Grips: ivory

Serial Number70G95040

Class: Modern Handgun

  • Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection
  • Condition: Fine as period embellished by Stewart, retaining traces of the gold wash, 75% plus of the gold plating, and 90% plus of the gold inlays with the balance mostly a bright grey patina, some scattered surface freckling and the engraving remaining mostly crisp The grips are also fine with some age lines on the butts, attractively aged tone, and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. An eye-catching and intriguing Colt Government Model pistol attributed to a notorious organized criminal enforcer!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000