Colt Single Action Army, .45 Colt, 4 3/4" Barrel, Factory Engraved with Carved Mother of Pearl Stocks - Signed by Colt Master Engraver William H. Gough, 1913

Private Collection

Colt Single Action Army Factory Engraved and Signed by Colt Master Engraver William H. Gough - Serial number 327871, .45 Colt, 4 3/4" barrel, nickel finish with Mother of Pearl Carved Steerhead Stocks and Level 2 Factory Engraving.  This Single Action Army was a one gun shipment on December 13, 1913 to Praeger Hardware in San Antonio, TX.

The number of factory engraved Colt's signed by the engraver are very few. Regarding William H. Gough, an early Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket .25 exists that is inscribed "DES & ENG BY W.H. GOUGH" under one of the stocks. That gun dates from 1914 and is believe by most to be the earliest known William Gough engraved Colt. This factory engraved Colt Single Action pre-dates the earliest known Colt featuring Gough's engraving. Here's a link to the Gough signed 1908 Colt Vest Pocket .25 ACP.

Colt Government Model serial number C5, which was returned to Colt's and engraved as part of a multi-gun custom set for Albert Foster's attorney James Bowen (Albert Foster was Colt's New York Agent) is also an example signed by Gough.

If you look closely, you can see the initials "W.H.G." hand inscribed next to the serial number. There's an additional inscription on the other side of the serial number that reads 1913.  This corresponds to the info in the factory letter.

Engraving style is typical of Gough's scroll which also features a fine lined background.

Colt Single Action Army Factory Engraved and Signed by Colt Master Engraver William H. Gough - Serial number 327871, .45 Colt, 4 3/4" barrel, nickel finish with Mother of Pearl Carved Steerhead Stocks and Level 2 Factory Engraving.

Colt Single Action Army Factory Engraved and Signed by Colt Master Engraver William H. Gough - Mother of Pearl Carved Steerhead Stocks with recessed Colt medallions.  Carving is on the right hand grip.

Colt Single Action Army Factory Engraved and Signed by Colt Master Engraver William H. Gough - Mother of Pearl Carved Steerhead Stocks with recessed Colt medallions.  Plain mother of pearl left hand stock.

Colt Single Action Army Factory Engraved and Signed by Colt Master Engraver William H. Gough - Serial number on the frame and trigger guard along with "W.H.G." and "1913" inscription for William H. Gough, 1913.