Tex Winchester

Manufactured in 1930, this revolver was factory engraved and inscribed for captain Howard J. Knutson. Knutson served as a captain in the 66th Field Artillery Brigade, which was the most heavily involved artillery unit in the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. The 66th saw heavy action during the Champagne-Marne Defensive, the Aisne-Marne Offensive, the St. Mihiel Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. It is claimed that by the end of the war, the 66th had fired 53% of all artillery rounds fired by the A.E.F. An included letter from the U.S. Army Military History Institute details some of this information about the 66th. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) including the engraving and the inscription, and that it was shipped to Howard J. Knutson on 16 July 1931.

This specific revolver is pictured and described on p. 407 of "The Book of Colt Engraving" by Wilson in the section attributed to Wilbur Glahn. It features beautiful flourishes of floral scroll engraving throughout and a checkered back strap, which were almost certainly executed by Colt factory Master Engraver, Wilbur Glahn. The top of the barrel has the standard two-line address and patent dates, model and caliber marking on the left, and the Rampant Colt on the left of the frame. The right of the frame is inscribed "Capt.Howard J. Knutson/66th F.A. Brigade/A.E.F."

It is fitted with blade and notch sights and a pair of checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions.

This revolver is referenced in a March 11, 1930 dated Colt letter addressed to Knutson under his stage name Capt. “Tex” Winchester. In the letter Colt Service Department employee H.M Webster quotes “a special price of $71.69 for an Officers’ Model Target Revolver, in caliber .22 with Grade ‘A’ engraving and with the name, ‘Captain Howard J. Knutson, 66th F.A. Brigade, A.E.F. [sic]’ engraved on the frame” along with a second factory engraved Officers’ Model Target Revolver for “a very special price of $104.62.”

In a post-World War I Kansas Journal article additional information about Knutson’s life and accomplishments is found. Under the stage name Capt. “Tex” Winchester, Knutson performed as an exhibition shooter and had traveled with the famed 101 Ranch. At the time the article was written Knutson was performing solo. His “exhibition of firearms handling” was described as leaving “the audience gasping in astonishment at his feats. Standing off a few paces and shooting to pieces a crayon held in the fingers of his assistant gives one a momentary paralysis in the thorax, but when the chalk is placed in each ear and shattered almost instantly by two bits of lead, you feel like screaming for a pulmotor. The Captain is the real goods.”