Lot 1233

Gough Master Engraved Colt Pre-Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol

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Gough Master Engraved Colt Pre-Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol

Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000

Starting Bid: $10,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Exceptional and Highly Desirable Documented William H. Gough Master Engraved Colt Pre-Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1916, this is a scarce and highly desirable example of a Colt Pre-Woodsman pistol that was engraved by Master Engraver William H. Gough. Though never officially working at Colt, Gough is widely considered to have been a "factory engraver" and completed a significant amount of contract work for the company during the same general period Wilbur Glahn and Rudolph Kornbrath were master engravers at the Colt factory. The included factory letter with this pistol lists it in .22 caliber with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, "soft" finish, and wood grips when sold to Murta Appleton & Co. in Philadelphia and shipped to W.H. Gough in Utica, New York, on 28 November 1916, as part of a shipment including three guns of this type. The letter further notes that this pistol was shipped in a "soft" for the purpose of engraving by Gough. In "The Book of Colt Firearms" by Wilson, they note that only 115 pre-World War II Pre-Woodsman and Woodsman pistols in total were factory engraved, which of course includes the post-1927 variants bearing the Woodsman name. This means that significantly less than 115 factory engraved examples were produced in the Pre-Woodsman era of 1915 to 1927, like this one. An extremely similar example to this one, serial number 4446, is pictured on p. 611 of "The Colt Engraving Book Vol. II" by Wilson, where it is noted as being part of a three-gun shipment sold to Murta Appleton & Co. in November of 1916, which is almost certainly the same shipment this pistol was in. Another example was offered in our December 2025 Premier Firearms Auction, bearing serial number 6412, which featured a gold inlaid monogram as well as a similar engraving pattern to this pistol. The pistol exhibits Gough's typical floral scroll style with matted backgrounds, covering about half of the pistol's surface. In many ways, Gough's style showed similarities to that of Wilbur Glahn, a Colt factory master at the time, which may be part of why Colt contracted with Gough for some of their engraving work. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and patent dates surrounded by engraving. The left of the slide has the "COLT AUTOMATIC/CAL.22 LONG RIFLE" marking and the Rampant Colt at the rear. The slightly later magazine has Colt Woodsman markings on the base. It is fitted with target type sights, including a beaded blade front and adjustable notch rear, as well as an interesting, diamond pattern checkered pair of walnut grips, a style that is also pictured on the pistol in the previously mentioned book.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Pre Woodsman

BBL: 6 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 22 Long Rifle

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number4779

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Exceptionally fine as William H. Gough master engraved, retaining 90% of the original blue finish with the sides of the barrel mostly a smooth grey patina, some scattered very light scratches, and crisp engraving. The grips are very fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Master Gough Engraved Colt Pre-Woodsman pistols are seldom available to collectors; don't miss this opportunity!

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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