This is an exceptional pre-war Colt "ACE" semi-automatic pistol that was manufactured in 1931, in probably the first or second month of production. This wonderful pistol is chambered in 22 LR and has been beautifully engraved on the right front end of the slide, with "H. T. Spooner from C.M.S." This pistol comes with a short letter that states that it was originally purchased from Colts Firearms Co. as one of the first Colt Ace model pistols, purchased on special order from Colt by Col. C.M. Swezey and presented to Col. Herbert T. Spooner. It was eventually presented or given to Col. Mark R.M. Gwilliams. There is no information on the first two Colonels, however this lot does include an obituary for Col. R.M. Gwilliams that states he started his military career as a cadet in Delaware college in 1910 and retired in 1950. These early pistols have the Colt high polish, pre-war blue finish with a bright, polished barrel chamber area. It is fitted with a set of custom/deluxe checkered walnut grips that have a single larger diamond shaped uncheckered area in the center of each grip panel. The grips themselves look to be factory original and may have been part of the special order for this pistol. It is complete with two original Colt Ace magazines, both of which are engraved on the base plates with "SPOONER", the original, matching, numbered Colt shipping box, a small metal screwdriver, and the original Colt instruction manual. These early pre-war Colt Ace pistols are extremely rare and very difficult to find in today's collector market in this kind of condition. They were developed to duplicate the weight and feel of the M1911A1 semi-automatic pistol but chambered in 22LR caliber to save on the cost of ammunition. This Ace series of pistol utilizes the lightweight slide with the standard barrel, shortened recoil spring and guide, with a set of fiber spacers on the spring guide, without the "floating chamber". These pistols duplicated the M1911 series of pistols in all respects except recoil. The slide is fitted with the early Colt high, wide half-moon front sight and windage and elevation adjustable target type rear sight. The slide is roll-marked with the two-line, Colt Hartford address and 1897-1913 patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt trademark behind the slide serrations. The right side of the slide is roll-marked with the distinctive "COLT" followed by "ACE" inside a diamond border and ".22 LONG./RIFLE". The left side of the trigger guard bow is stamped with a small "3" and "VP" inside a triangle proofs, and the right side of the frame only the serial number "373". It has the correct wide checkered spur hammer, checkered thumb safety, checkered slide stop, and arched checkered main spring housing. As noted this pistol is complete with the original Colt shipping box with the serial number "373" over the very rare factory ink stamp of: "FO 3102" which stands for Factory Order number 3102, along with the original "COLT ACE .22 LONG RIFLE", label on the end.

Very fine with 90% of the original Colt factory blue finish overall with very minor edge and high spot wear with two spots of loss and light corrosion on the left rear upper side of the frame behind and under the thumb safety. The period replacement grips are in very fine condition with nice sharp distinct checkering on both sides with few handling marks. The box is in fair condition with the bottom having nice intact corners with a partial tear in the center of the side on the label end. The entire lid has been reinforced all along the edges and corners with a heavy brown duct tape material. A very early production Colt Ace pistol that needs some further historical research/investigation.