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LOT 351
Attractive Engraved
Colt First Series
Woodsman Sport Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Factory Letter and Austin Texas Marked Tooled
Leather Holster - Serial no. 143441, 22 LR cal., 4 5/8 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1940, the included factory letter
confirms some of the features of this pistol, including a four and one half inch barrel
in .22 caliber, blue finish, type of grips not listed, and furnished with an adjustable rear sight, when sent in a lone shipment
to Wm. O. Lischange in Syracuse, New York, on October 22, 1940. Features elevation adjustable blade front and adjustable notch rear sights, the two-line Colt
address and patent dates roll-marked on the left of the barrel, “THE WOODSMAN” legend on the left of the frame with Colt “T” over “triangle/VP” factory proofs on the
left of the trigger guard with “23” on the right, along with the caliber designation and Rampant Colt on the left of the slide. The barrel, slide, and frame also feature over
50% coverage floral custom scroll engraving with punch-dot backdrops. Fitted with a pair of “single-diamond” checkered walnut grips and a blued magazine marked CAL.22/
COLT” on the base. Includes a “A.W.BRILL/MAKER/AUSTIN,TEX” marked and tooled black leather holster.
CONDITION: Very fine as custom embellished, retaining 95% plus blue finish with plum coloration to the slide, some scattered minor handling marks and scratches, clear
markings, and crisp engravings. The grips are excellent with mostly crisp checkering and attractive age darkening. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very fine.
Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 350
Exquisite Kurt Jaeger Signed and Master Engraved Colt First Series Woodsman Target Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Stag Grips - Serial no. 68074, 22 LR cal., 6 5/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, stag grips.
Manufactured in 1929, featuring elevation adjustable beaded blade front and windage adjustable notch rear
sights, the two-line Colt address and patent dates roll-marked on top of the barrel, “THE WOODSMAN” legend on
the left of the frame with “1” over “triangle/VP” on the left of the trigger guard, along with the caliber designation
and Rampant Colt on the left of the slide. The pistol also features extensive and intricate floral scroll pattern
engravings covering half of the barrel and a majority of the slide and frame, with the engraving bordering the factory roll-marks, enhanced checkering added to the grip
straps, and the engraver’s signature “K. JAGER/MAINZ” marked on the backstrap for Master Engraver Kurt Jaeger (1917-2003). Kurt Jaeger grew up in Suhl, Germany, was
drafted into service during World War II, and subsequently wounded and taken prisoner by U.S. forces. After the war, he initially engraved firearms primarily for American
servicemen of the occupation forces, working from the Weisbaden Rod and Gun Club at the American air base. Once German citizens were allowed to own and purchase
firearms again, he moved his shop to the Mainz business district. Fitted with a pair of molded stag horn grips and a blued magazine marked “CAL.22/COLT” on the base.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as masterfully embellished and signed by Kurt Jaeger, retaining 97% bright blue finish with some minor edge wear, a few minor scratches, along
with clear markings and crisp engravings. The grips are exceptionally fine with attractive texturing. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000