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LOT 1319
Rare Documented Factory Engraved and Gold Plated Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Semi- Automatic Pistol Ordered by Famous Hollywood Stunt Pilot Captain E.H. Robinson with Inscribed Pearl Grips, Case, and Factory Letter -
Serial no. 395472, 25 ACP cal., 2 inch round bbl., gold finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1932, this beautiful pistol is documented by the included factory letter
as having shipped to Captain Earl H. Robinson (1903-1958), a World War I Army Air Corps veteran and later Hollywood stunt pilot and writer. After World War I, Robinson appears to have made his way into
the California National Guard observation squadron and then on to Hollywood where he became a stunt pilot and did aerial filming. Some of the films that Robinson was a stunt pilot
in are “Wings” (1927), “The Legion of the Condemned” (1928), and “The Dawn Patrol” (1930), and he was a co-writer for “Wings in the Dark” (1935). The included factory letter confirms the current configuration including the gold finish, pearl grips with inlaid gold lettering “CC”, and the class A engraving, as well as shipment
to Capt. E.H. Robinson in Beverly
Hills, California, on 13 December
1932 as a one gun shipment. It is
unclear whether this pistol was
ordered for Robinson or by him,
and it is also unclear what the
meaning of the “CC” on the grip
escutcheon is. However, one can
surmise that they are the initials
of whoever gifted the pistol to
Robinson or whoever he gifted
it to. The pistol has the standard
markings along with the floral
scroll engraving which covers
more than 75% of the surfaces. It
is fitted with a pair of smooth pearl grips with Colt medallions at the tops and the above mentioned gold escutcheon on the left panel which is engraved “CC”. Includes a leatherette
wrapped wallet style case.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% of the original gold with some light edge wear/flaking and crisp engraving overall. The grips are very fine with a minor chip absent from the bottom of the left panel and otherwise only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with moderate wear and some minor tearing on the folds. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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