*FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT 1908 AUTO PISTOL WITH MONTANA HISTORY.

SN 8428. 380 ACP. 3-3/4″ bbl. This is an intriguing gun with Colt factory inscription to “Otto Woge”. This gun has affidavit from grandson where it descended in the family from Judge Jere B. Leslie who was Superior Court Judge in Grand Rapids, MT for 29 years (and son of Territorial Governor Preston Leslie). This gun was given to Judge Leslie by Sheriff Robert “Bob” Gordon who was longtime sheriff of Cascade County. A quick search of court records shows that Sheriff Gordon was often in Judge Leslie’s court. How the sheriff obtained this gun might make an interesting research project. Otto Woge is found in North Dakota obit 1874-1958 and it would be interesting to find out how this custom factory Colt got from Mr. Woge to Sheriff Gordon to be later given to Judge Leslie. Regardless this is a wonderful first year production factory engraved gun with Colt pearl grips though not specifically mentioned in factory letter are undoubtedly orig. This gun conforms to other Colt model “M” hammerless 38 auto pistols with a 7-shot magazine marked “CALIBRE 380”. Slide is marked with 2-patent dates and address on left side slide and right side slide reads, “AUTOMATIC COLT” above “CALIBRE 380 HAMMERLESS”. Accompanying factory letter states 380 Cal. finish and stocks not listed, factory engraved “on the grip safety Otto Woge”, shipped to Woge Brothers address not available on March 19, 1912 in a 1-gun shipment. Gun is pictured on p. 343 of Colt Engraving by R.L. Wilson though photo states ivory grips which is a typo because grips are obviously pearl. PROVENANCE: Otto Woge 1912. Sheriff Robert Gordon, Cascade County, MT. Judge Jere B. Leslie, Great Falls, MT. Mrs. Charles R. Lowery 1925. Robert Lowery. Lewis Yearout 1973. Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. CONDITION: Gun retains about 95% of its orig bright blue finish with losses mostly at muzzle where there is some filing and repair at face of bottom of slide around recoil spring guide and tool marks are seen at end of flared bbl when slide is retracted. Rampant Colt logo at rear of slide is light where originally polished before engraving and there are numerous small scratches on left side of slide as can be seen in photograph. Mechanics are fine and bbl exhibits crisp, well defined rifling. 4-53887 JS69 (6,000-8,000) – Lot 3159

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Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3159	$7,475.00	FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT 1908 AUTO PISTOL WITH MONTANA HISTORY. SN 8428. 380 ACP. 3-3/4″ bbl. This is an intriguing gun with Colt factory inscription to “Otto Woge”. This gun has affidavit from grandson where it descended in the family from Judge Jere B. Leslie who was Superior Court Judge in Grand Rapids, MT for 29 years (and son of Territorial Governor Preston Leslie). This gun was given to Judge Leslie by Sheriff Robert “Bob” Gordon who was longtime sheriff of Cascade County. A quick search of court records shows that Sheriff Gordon was often in Judge Leslie’s court. How the sheriff obtained this gun might make an interesting research project. Otto Woge is found in North Dakota obit 1874-1958 and it would be interesting to find out how this custom factory Colt got from Mr. Woge to Sheriff Gordon to be later given to Judge Leslie. Regardless this is a wonderful first year production factory engraved gun with Colt pearl grips though not specifically mentioned in factory letter are undoubtedly orig. This gun conforms to other Colt model “M” hammerless 38 auto pistols with a 7-shot magazine marked “CALIBRE 380”. Slide is marked with 2-patent dates and address on left side slide and right side slide reads, “AUTOMATIC COLT” above “CALIBRE 380 HAMMERLESS”. Accompanying factory letter states 380 Cal. finish and stocks not listed, factory engraved “on the grip safety Otto Woge”, shipped to Woge Brothers address not available on March 19, 1912 in a 1-gun shipment. Gun is pictured on p. 343 of Colt Engraving* by R.L. Wilson though photo states ivory grips which is a typo because grips are obviously pearl. PROVENANCE: Otto Woge 1912. Sheriff Robert Gordon, Cascade County, MT. Judge Jere B. Leslie, Great Falls, MT. Mrs. Charles R. Lowery 1925. Robert Lowery. Lewis Yearout 1973. Estate Collection of Lewis & Leyton Yearout. CONDITION: Gun retains about 95% of its orig bright blue finish with losses mostly at muzzle where there is some filing and repair at face of bottom of slide around recoil spring guide and tool marks are seen at end of flared bbl when slide is retracted. Rampant Colt logo at rear of slide is light where originally polished before engraving and there are numerous small scratches on left side of slide as can be seen in photograph. Mechanics are fine and bbl exhibits crisp, well defined rifling. 4-53887 JS69 (6,000-8,000) – Lot 3159 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT 1908 AUTO PISTOL WITH MONTANA HISTORY.