The accompanying factory letters lists this pistol with a 5 inch barrel in .38 Super, blue finish, type of stocks not listed, and factory engraved "T & WA No. 32" on the receiver when shipped to Smith Brothers Hardware Co., Columbus, Ohio, as part of a 42 gun shipment. Factory records suggests shipment occurred on October 31 or November 1, 1930. This is one of only 42 pre-WWII factory Super 38 pistols in an initial shipment having the "T & WA" factory engraving. Two subsequent purchases occurred within the year. The left side of the frame is factory engraved "T & W.A. No. 32" (see factory letter), and the reverse side of the frame has the serial number. "T & W.A," references Transcontinental & Western Air. In 1939, famed aviator and aviation mogul Howard Hughes became the principal shareholder of Transcontinental & Western Air, and the airline was officially rebranded Trans World Airlines in 1950. This pistol was issued to T&WA pilot Otto Ferguson. Pilots were armed when carrying U.S. mail on commercial flights as required by law. On April 7, 1936, Ferguson was piloting a Douglas DC-2 on a flight carrying passengers and mail when the plane crashed in poor weather. Twelve people were fatally injured and 2 were severely injured. Ferguson was among the dead. At the time of the crash this pistol was in Ferguson's possession. The pistol was returned to Ferguson's family following the recovery effort. An accompanying archive attests to the pistol's provenance in a notarized letter from Ferguson's grandson. The archive also includes the Department of Commerce report on the 1936 aircraft accident that killed Ferguson, Ferguson's WWI Air Service discharge paper, Air Service wallet, airline pilot photo, T&WA business card, and consignor research. The pistol was featured on the cover of the Texas Gun Collectors Spring 2007 issue.

Very good. The pistol retains 30% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The replacement grips are very good showing some worn checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare factory inscribed Transcontinental & Western Air documented Super .38 pistol that is missing from the most advanced Colt semi-automatic pistol collections. A rare piece of Colt and aviation history that one will look a long time to find and acquire.