The frame of this incredibly ornate piece was manufactured in 1953, before being subsequently fitted with a Colt .22 conversion unit barrel and slide, as well as being masterfully embellished. The top of the slide on this example is gold inlaid with the inscription "Major/Harold K. Milks/AO-361665" for the legendary Associated Press reporter and foreign correspondent Harold Milks (1908-1979). Milks began his career in journalism at two newspapers in his home state of Indiana, before joining the Associated Press in Chicago at the height of the organized crime era which defined the 1930s. From there, he moved on to Columbus, Ohio and New York before receiving his first foreign assignment in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1938. During World War II, Milks served in the Army Air Corps, serving 47 months on active duty and being discharged at the rank of major. Beginning in 1946, Milks began covering General Marshall's peace mission to China, including meeting the communist leader Mao Tse-tung, before eventually fleeing China with the fall of the Nationalist government. He was then briefly a correspondent in London before moving on to covering South Asia, where he was headquartered in New Delhi. While in India, he became close friends with the Maharajah of Indore, who facilitated big game hunting on his hunting preserve. During his six years in India, Milks became a skilled hunter, taking a trophy tiger each year he spent there, as well as guiding other Americans on their own hunts. From 1956 to 1959, was chief of the AP's Moscow bureau, where he oversaw the rise to power of Nikita Khrushchev and the launching of Sputnik 1. His next assignment was Havana, Cuba, where he reported on Fidel Castro's transformation of Cuba into an authoritarian communist state. Due to the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, Milks was forced to hide out in a friendly embassy for 6 weeks before returning to the U.S. Milks is noted as likely being the only American journalist to have personally met all three of the communist leaders, Mao, Khrushchev, and Castro. For the final six years of his career with the AP, Milks was chief of the Spain and Portugal bureau. From around 1967 until his death, he was the managing editor of The Arizona Republic newspaper. Milks' career in journalism spanned 33 years and 30 countries. The frame on this example is that of a Colt Government Model, with the "-C" suffixed serial number on the right. It has been fitted with a Colt .22 conversion unit with the slide having the standard conversion unit markings on the left along with the Rampant Colt and the one-line address on the right. Nearly all of the surfaces of the pistol, even including the magazine baseplate, show masterfully executed engraving and gold damascene inlay which features primarily floral scroll motifs and borders while the background is a contrasting matte blue. The work appears to be unsigned but was very obviously the work of a master artisan. Interestingly, a few other items that have publicly sold, including a Colt Single Action Army revolver, show similar damascening as well as inscriptions to Milks. These items appear to have been adorned by the same artist who was likely either a favorite of or friend of Milks. It is fitted with blade front and adjustable notch rear sights. The grips are German silver with traces of silver plating, light zig-zag line engraving, and brass mounts on both sides including a stag head, diamond, and Mexican eagle.

Exceptionally fine as upgraded and elaborately embellished, retaining 97% plus of the gold damascene and matte blue finishes with a few scattered patches of light flaking, mostly on edges or moving parts. The grips are very good with traces of the silver plating, the balance of the German silver and brass bright, and a few light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A gorgeously embellished, .22 converted Colt Government Model inscribed to a highly respected 20th century journalist!