2020 September Premier, Volume I

360
LOT 518
Outstanding, Iconic and Well Documented
Special Order Cased Set of Two Factory
Master Engraved Colt Woodsman Semi-
Automatic Pistols by Master Engraver
George Spring with Factory Letter and
Boxes from the Collection of Bob Rayburn
-A) Factory Master Engraved Special Order
Gold Plated Colt Third Series Woodsman
Target Model Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. 043136S, 22 LR cal., 5 inch round
bbl., gold finish, replacement grips. This
beautiful and attractive cased set consists
of two Third Series Colt Woodsman pistols
manufactured in 1973 and factory special
ordered and made for Major Robert Rayburn,
noted Woodsman expert and author of the
“Colt Woodsman Pocket Guide”. This Target
Model features an unprecedented 5 inch
round barrel which is the only known example
in this barrel length (the standard length is
6”). The entire pistol has a brilliant factory
gold plated finish featuring fine American
style factory type “A” scroll engraving with
subtle punch dot accents on the rear of the
barrel, forward and rear sides of the frame
and on the slide. The back strap is inscribed
“MAJ. R. RAYBURN”. The left front of the
frame is marked with the Rapant Colt over
“WOODSMAN” and the left side of the slide is
marked “COLT” followed by “AUTOMATIC/CAL.
22 LONG RIFLE”. The serial number is marked
on the right front of the frame. Ramped
blade front sight and adjustable rear target
sight, gold “COLT CAL. 22” marked magazine
and fitted with a pair of smooth grips with
a right hand thumb rest. The accompanying
factory letter covers both pistols and verifies
the caliber, barrel lengths, full bright silver
finish, (gun “B”) and full bright gold finish (this
pistol), the “Type A” engraving by Colt Master
Engraver George Spring, inscription on the
back straps and the blue leather presentation
case with gold embossed inscription and that
they were shipped to Sile Distributors Inc. in
Meriden, CT. on June 9, 1987. The remarks
also state that the set was built expressly
for Major R. Rayburn by Colt and confirms
the Custom Shop Order Numbers 3008 and
3009. The pistols were originally shipped with
“Standard Wood” grips. The pistols come in
a double dark blue presentation case with
French fit royal blue velvet interior with a
gold filled embossed border and gold filled
embossed inscription “WOODSMAN .22/BUILT
EXPRESSLY/FOR/MAJ. R. RAYBURN/BY/COLT
FIREARMS” on the lid The pair also come with
the original Colt Custom Shop boxes. The box
for this pistol has an end label marked with
the Model Number “S1161s1”, “C.S. #3009”, the
serial number, “Custom Engraved Woodsman”
and “Target Model, .22c, 5” bbl, gold plated
finish/w/custom case”.