.38 super caliber, 5" barrel length, S/N 9897 (ca. 1932), double line barrel address on the left side of the slide action and right side of slide action marked "Colt Super .38 Automatic" next to rampant Colt logo. Left side of frame is engraved "T & W.A. No. 32" and reverse side with serial number. Blue finish with checkered walnut grips. This extremely rare Colt Model 1911A1 .38 Super Automatic Pistol is 1 of only 42 pistols listed on factory records as being factory engraved or inscribed, Pre-War. The engraving as listed on the factory letter includes "T & W.A. No. 32", which refers to the Transcontinental and Western Air. This pistol was 1 of 42 pistols in the shipment and was featured on the cover of the Texas Gun Collectors Spring 2007 issue. The pistol was issued and carried by Otto Fergusan a pilot for T & W.A.. Pilots were required by law to be armed when carrying United States Mail on commercial flights. On April 7, 1936, Otto Ferguson was piloting a Douglas Model DC-2 from Newark, New Jersey to Los Angles, California when the flight met an untimely demise. The plane carrying 14 passengers and United States Mail had 12 fatalities with 2 severely injured. Among the fatalities was Otto Ferguson and in his possession at the time of the accident was this Colt Model 1911A .38 Super Automatic Pistol. This pistol survived the accident and was given back to the Ferguson family. This small archive contains family documents attesting this pistol, Colt Factory Letter, personal artifacts from Otto Ferguson, a history on TWA/Howard Hughes and historical research on the accident. Condition: The gun is in overall very good to excellent condition maintaining most of the original blue finish with wear to the high edges. All markings are sharp and crisp. Mechanically good with a very good bore. This is a fine example of a rare Model 1911A1 .38 Super Automatic that tells a unique story within our Aeronautical history.
.38 super caliber, 5" barrel length, S/N 9897 (ca. 1932), double line barrel address on the left side of the slide action and right side of slide action marked "Colt Super .38 Automatic" next to rampant Colt logo. Left side of frame is engraved "T & W.A. No. 32" and reverse side with serial number. Blue finish with checkered walnut grips. This extremely rare Colt Model 1911A1 .38 Super Automatic Pistol is 1 of only 42 pistols listed on factory records as being factory engraved or inscribed, Pre-War. The engraving as listed on the factory letter includes "T & W.A. No. 32", which refers to the Transcontinental and Western Air. This pistol was 1 of 42 pistols in the shipment and was featured on the cover of the Texas Gun Collectors Spring 2007 issue. The pistol was issued and carried by Otto Fergusan a pilot for T & W.A.. Pilots were required by law to be armed when carrying United States Mail on commercial flights. On April 7, 1936, Otto Ferguson was piloting a Douglas Model DC-2 from Newark, New Jersey to Los Angles, California when the flight met an untimely demise. The plane carrying 14 passengers and United States Mail had 12 fatalities with 2 severely injured. Among the fatalities was Otto Ferguson and in his possession at the time of the accident was this Colt Model 1911A .38 Super Automatic Pistol. This pistol survived the accident and was given back to the Ferguson family. This small archive contains family documents attesting this pistol, Colt Factory Letter, personal artifacts from Otto Ferguson, a history on TWA/Howard Hughes and historical research on the accident. Condition: The gun is in overall very good to excellent condition maintaining most of the original blue finish with wear to the high edges. All markings are sharp and crisp. Mechanically good with a very good bore. This is a fine example of a rare Model 1911A1 .38 Super Automatic that tells a unique story within our Aeronautical history.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
