Manufactured in 1919, this is an outstanding, documented example of an exhibition quality Colt Government Model pistol engraved by Master Engraver William H. Gough, which was presented in the 1920s by the governor of Connecticut and his associates to the governor of Florida. The included factory letter with this Colt Government Model pistol states that it was shipped "Green" (unfinished) to William H. Gough in Utica, New York on 29 May 1919 with ivory stocks in a three gun shipment. The letter goes on to state that the pistol was returned to the factory and was inscribed to "Sen. Gen. Francisco Arteyo" and shipped to Sr. Don Metquiades Garcia at the General Contracting & Communications Co. This shipment is listed as happening on 25 July 1919 on p. 269 of "The Government Models" by Goddard. The following two consecutively numbered (C121327 and C121328) Government Model pistols are listed with similar engraving, inscriptions (to different people), and stocks are listed as shipped on the same day in the previously mentioned book. One of the pistols is listed as inscribed to "Wm. E. Brisbin" and one to "Gen. Pablo Gonzales", and all three of the pistols are listed in the book as returned in December of 1926. All three of these pistols appear to have originally been presentation pieces for men associated with the Mexican Revolution, and the reason for their return to the factory remains unknown, though it may be related to the victory of the revolutionaries just a year and a half later. The included factory letter goes on to state that this specific pistol was returned to the factory on 10 December 1926 and shipped in .45 caliber with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish, plain ivory grips with gold seal of Connecticut on one stock and seal of Florida on the other, presented to Governor John W. Martin, and shipped to Governor John H. Trumbull on 13 January 1927 as a single gun shipment. Also included is a signed letter from Mary Rehbaum Wareing (great niece of governor John W. Martin) stating that the pistol has remained with Martin's descendents since its presentation until being offered to the public now. The inscribed plaque on the lid of the included case states that this pistol was presented to Governor John W. Martin of Florida by Governor John H. Trumbull, Robbins B. Stoeckel, J. Henry Roraback, and Colonel Charles H. Allen in token of appreciation and affection in December of 1926. In September of 1926, while John W. Martin was governor of Florida, the state was ravaged by a Category 4 hurricane from the Atlantic which hit the city of Miami particularly hard. The storm became known as "Great Miami Hurricane of 1926", prior to the modern naming system for tropical storms. The 1926 Miami hurricane still holds the top spot for direct economic losses (adjusted for societal conditions of 2018), even beating out hurricane Katrina by over $100 billion. The horrific storm caused severe damage, 372 deaths, and displaced at least 38,000 people, testing Martin's leadership in a time of turmoil. Shortly after the hurricane, period newspaper articles state that Governor Trumbull had sent his sympathies to Governor Martin, perhaps indicating a prior friendship or the beginning of a lasting friendship. On 7 December of 1926, newspapers indicate that governor Trumbull arrived in Tallahassee, Florida that morning, accompanied by Robbins B. Stoeckel, who was the commissioner of motor vehicles for Connecticut, J. Henry Roraback, who was the Republican state chairman of Connecticut, and C.H. Allen, who was an aid to governor Trumbull. The purpose of the Connecticut party's visit appears to be primarily a friendly hunting trip, with a buffet supper and reception kicking off the festivities at the governor's mansion on the evening of 7 December. Another article states that the hunting would begin the following day and that a hunting camp had been prepared for the party near the mouth of the Aucilla River, where the two governors and their friends would hunt Taylor and Jefferson counties for two days. On 11 January 1927, Florida newspapers report that governor Trumbull of Connecticut would again be returning to Florida around 15 January. They also state that Trumbull has expressed his appreciation to governor Martin for the wonderful hunting trip in December of the previous year. Also mentioned in the newspapers, is that Robbins Stoeckel also sent a letter to governor Martin, praising him for his hospitality. Trumbull is quoted as saying that all who attended "...were unanimous in the opinion that they had never been treated with such hospitality, and had such a friendly feeling shown by everyone we came in contact with." Trumbull went on to deliver a quote that almost any sportsman can attest to, that being: "Hunting trips are not to be measured by the amount of game taken, but by the good fellowship and opportunity to live close to nature, if only for a short time." On 30 January 1927, The Miami Herald reports with the headline "Governor Martin is Given Memento: Automatic Pistol is Gift from Connecticut Executive". The brief article reports that in Jacksonville, Florida, governor Martin had received an "automatic pistol, inlaid with gold and ivory, the finest product of the Colt factory in Hartford, Conn." The article goes on to mention that the mahogany case has a plate bearing the names of governor Trumbull, Robbins Stoeckel, J. Henry Roraback, and Col. Charles H. Allen, and that it was a token of their appreciation, almost certainly for the hospitality they received during their December 1926 hunting trip with governor Martin. A newspaper article in November of 1927 indicates that governor Martin yet again invited Trumbull to come "invade Florida with his firearms in search for the elusive game", this time jokingly assuring governor Trumbull that the "game is tied to a tree for him", likely indicating that their previous hunting trips, though enjoyable, were less than fruitful in producing game. The pistol itself is an exceptional example of Colt's early 20th century craftsmanship, including the extensive engraving by Colt Master Engraver William H. Gough. At the time of its final shipment for presentation, this pistol would have been considered the "old style", as often indicated by the factory ledgers, meaning that it had the features of the government contract Model 1911 pistols, rather than the updated Model 1911A1s. These features include a smooth, flat mainspring housing and no bevels on the sides of the frame near the trigger. William Gough's engraving covers nearly all surfaces of the pistol with vine and leaf scroll in his typical style and on a matted background. The grip straps and bottom of the frame have zig-zag line engraving, and the top front portion of the slide has a stippled strip down the center. The left side of the slide has the standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address with the Rampant Colt between them, while the right has the standard two-line caliber marking. The right side of the frame has the model marking over the serial number. The blued barrel has a polished chamber hood and is marked "2" on the right of the lug and "&" and "2" on the bottom. "326" is hand engraved on the left lower edge of the slide, a marking likely added by Gough to keep the frame and slide matched. It is fitted with blade and flat topped notch sights, a wide checkered hammer, checkered slide stop and thumb safety, a short grip safety, long smooth trigger, and a flat smooth mainspring housing with a lanyard loop on the bottom. The factory documented grips are smooth ivory, with the left panel having a gold inlaid seal of the state of Florida and the right panel having a gold inlaid seal of the state of Connecticut and the state motto scrimshawed below it. The magazine is two-tone with no markings on the base. Included with the pistol is a leather wrapped mahogany case with the interior lined in blue and fitted to the pistol. On the lid of the case is the brass presentation plaque described above, which has traces of the original gilt finish. Provenance: The Family of Florida Governor John W. Martin

Excellent, retains 95% plus of the factory blue finish with some scattered light speckling of oxidation on the front grip strap, right rear of frame, and mainspring housing, and the engraving remains crisp overall. The grips are also excellent with a very attractively aged tone, a few light handling marks, and almost all of the gilt finish on the inlays. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some scattered minor handling/storage marks and mild wear. An extraordinary, exhibition quality, William H. Gough master engraved Colt Government Model pistol that was presented by John H. Trumbull, governor of Connecticut, and his friends to the governor of Florida John W. Martin! This extraordinary Colt Government Model being offered for the first time is quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!