Rock Island Auction Company Homepage
The Nation's Leading Auction House for Firearms, Edged Weapons, & Military Artifacts
firearm HOME AUCTIONS CATALOGS CONSIGNMENTS NEWS & PRESS EVENTS ABOUT US LINKS CONTACT US russian
edged
Upcoming Auctions    Past Auctions    Absentee Bidding    Prices Realized    FAQs    Shipping
custom
AUCTION ITEM
Premiere Firearms Auction (December 4, 5 & 6 2009)
Lot #: 1784
Estimated Price: $60,000 - $90,000
Extremely Rare, Prototype, Colt Model 1910 Semi-Automatic Pistol
LOT SOLD
Serial #: 11 Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1910 Type: Pistol
Gauge: 45 ACP Catalog Page: 57
Barrel Length: 5 inch round Finish: blue
Grip: walnut checkered Stock: N/A
Sell Date: Saturday, December 05, 2009
Condition Rating:  
Description: Prototype Colt Model 1910 Semi-Automatic Pistol. Colt manufactured between 12 and 13 of these extremely rare pistols as the direct predecessor in the development of the Model 1911 Automatic Pistol. The pistol has a high-polish commercial blue finish with casehardened hammer, grip safety and main spring housing. The rear sight, slide lock, trigger, and other small components have a fiery, niter blue finish. The walnut stocks have rounded tops with fine checkering, small diamonds surrounding the brass screw escutcheons and small stock screws. The pistol has a flat-sided spur hammer with bordered knurling. The pistol lacks the thumb safety incorporated on the Model 1910 Special Army pistol. The barrel lugs extend completely around the barrel. The pistol is internally serial numbered with "11" stamped on the top of the frame to the right of the disconnector hole. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" in two lines. The left side of the slide is marked with "PATENTED/APR.20.1897.SEPT9.1902.DEC.19.1905" in two unequal lines followed by "COLT'S PT. F.A.MFG. CO./HARTFORD,CT. U.S.A." in two lines. (The serial number "11" is the only marking on the frame internally, near the disconnector slot). Colt shipping records published on page 234 of "THE GOVERNEMNT MODELS" by William Goddard show that Model of 1911 "Special Army" serial number 10 was shipped "With C.L.F Robinson to London on September 2, 1911 and that serial number 13 was shipped to Colt President Albert Foster Jr. on July 27, 1911. There are no records for the disposition of serial number 11. The Colt Model 1910 Automatic pistol is a key piece in the evolution of the Colt Model 1911pistol; it established the basic configuration for the successful Model 1911 adopted by the U.S. Army on May 5, 1911 which remained in service for nearly 80 years.
Condition: Very good. The pistol has been professionally restored to nearly new condition. The restoration includes several components that were newly manufactured to the original specifications. The pistol retains 98% of the high polish blue finish. Nearly all the casehardened finish is present and the case colors are vivid. The small components have nearly all of the fiery, niter blue, finish. The slide markings are sharp. The professionally made grips are near mint with sharp checkering. This is an outstanding example of an extremely rare, prototype Colt Model 1910 Automatic pistol that would be the centerpiece of any advanced Colt or automatic pistol collection.
RELATED LOTS
Preview Lot# Auction Item Description Estimated Price
429 Outstanding Extremely Rare Experimental U.S. Springfield Model 1888 "Positive Cam" Trapdoor Rifle $7,500.00 - $12,000.00
806 Two Bolt Action Rifles -A) Crusader Arms 17 Caliber Prototype Bolt Action Rifle Serial Number 007 $1,700.00 - $2,500.00
806 B) Excellent Late Production Winchester Model 52A Rifle with Custom Features $1,700.00 - $2,500.00
1008 Scarce Prototype Winchester Single Shot Bolt Action Pistol $3,500.00 - $5,500.00
1065 Rare Experimental/Prototype J. Rider Marked Double Action Pocket Revolver with Trigger Guard Loading Lever $16,000.00 - $25,000.00
1066 Unique Brass Frame Remington Rider Experimental Percussion Revolver $9,500.00 - $16,000.00
1093 One of a Kind Documented Inventors Prototype Model Remington Vest Pocket Pistol Awarded NRA Best Display Medal $14,000.00 - $20,000.00
1119 Experimental Whitney Single Action Pocket Revolver $1,500.00 - $2,000.00
1128 Rare Experimental Unmarked Style Number One Vest Pocket Pistol $3,000.00 - $4,500.00
1209 Rare Prototype Savage Revolving Firearms Co. Navy Model Revolver with Attachable Shoulder Stock $17,000.00 - $22,500.00
1499 Unique C.G. Haenel Semi-Automatic Prototype Rifle $3,000.00 - $5,000.00
1655 Rare Experimental Prototype Colt Sharps Single Shot Sporting Rifle $3,500.00 - $4,750.00
1786 Rare M1941 Prototype Johnson Semi-Automatic Rifle with Extra Magazines $9,500.00 - $14,000.00
1787 Rare Model 1941 Prototype Johnson Semi-Automatic Rifle with Extra Magazines $7,500.00 - $12,000.00
1788 Rare "Snabb" Developmental Springfield Model 1903 Semi-Automatic Experimental Rifle $11,000.00 - $20,000.00
1789 Rare U.S. H&R M1 Garand Rifle with Experimental Fiberglass Stock and Hand Guard Set $4,000.00 - $6,500.00
1827 Rare "Snabb" Developmental Eddystone Model 1917 Experimental Semi-Automatic Rifle $9,000.00 - $15,000.00
1833 Extraordinary Presentation Inland M1 Carbine Serial Number 173 with Rare Prototype M3 Sniper Scope Mount With US Marked Weaver M73B1 Sniper Scope $5,000.00 - $7,000.00
3057 Unique Documented Prototype Remington Rider Magazine Pistol $10,000.00 - $15,000.00
3058 Unique and Extremely Rare Remington Rider Prototype Military Trial Magazine Pistol $3,500.00 - $6,500.00
3061 Rare Remington Style Number One Vest Pocket Pistol with Unique Prototype Safety $1,500.00 - $2,500.00
3072 Unique Documented Prototype Noble & Brady Revolving Rifle $7,500.00 - $12,000.00
3226 Colt Model 1851 Navy 4-screw Revolver with Rare Prototype Pewter Attachable Canteen Stock $20,000.00 - $30,000.00
3568 Ithaca Prototype Slide Action 16 Gauge Shotgun $1,500.00 - $2,500.00
3647 Rare Experimental Colt 1911A1 Pistol with Extended Barrel and Recoil Housing Cut for a Stock from the Colt Research and Development Department $5,000.00 - $7,500.00
3653 Rare M1941 Prototype Johnson Semi-Automatic Rifle with Extra Magazines $8,000.00 - $13,000.00
3654 Rare Model 1941 Prototype Johnson Semi-Automatic Rifle with Extra Magazines $7,500.00 - $12,000.00
3655 Rare Model 1941 Prototype Johnson Semi-Automatic Rifle $7,500.00 - $12,000.00
3661 Rare "Snabb" Development Springfield Model 1903 Semi-Automatic Experimental Rifle $9,000.00 - $15,000.00
3662 Rare Early Springfield Armory M1 Garand Receiver with Experimental Fiberglass Stock and Hand-Guard Assembly $5,000.00 - $7,500.00
3753 Colt Light Weight Prototype Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol $2,500.00 - $3,750.00
3754 Exceptional Colt Commander Semi-Automatic Pistol Prototype $2,000.00 - $3,000.00
3755 Colt Government Model MKIV Series 70 Experimental and Test Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter $900.00 - $1,200.00
3756 Rare Colt Law Enforcement Semi-Automatic Pistol Prototype $1,800.00 - $2,500.00
3770 Box of Rare Winchester 9.8 mm Automatic Colt Cartridges for Experimental Colt 1910 Semi-Automatic Pistol $1,000.00 - $1,500.00
3776 Unique and Rare Colt-Jolidon Prototype Semi-Automatic Pistol $5,000.00 - $10,000.00
3777 Unique Prototype Colt 380 ACP Vest Pocket Hammer Pistol $4,000.00 - $6,000.00
3778 Experimental Pre-Production Colt Factory Collection Model 2000 All American Prototype Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Box and Letter $1,000.00 - $1,500.00
3779 Experimental Springfield Armory Test Colt Lightweight Combat Commander Pistol in 9MM Parabellum with Box and Factory Letter, Colt Archival Sample $5,000.00 - $10,000.00
3789 Colt Factory Collection Experimental Prototype Double Action Revolver with Box and Factory Letter $1,000.00 - $2,000.00
3793 Colt Factory Archive Official Police Double Action Experimental Revolver with Factory Letter, Serial Number 1 $1,200.00 - $1,600.00
3794 Colt Factory Archive MKIII Prototype J-Frame Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter $800.00 - $1,200.00
3795 Colt Factory Archive Prototype MKIII J-Frame Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter $800.00 - $1,200.00
3796 Colt Factory Archive Trooper MKIII Experimental Prototype Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter $700.00 - $1,000.00
3797 Colt Factory Archive Experimental Prototype Double Action Revolver Built on Large Frame with Factory Letter $900.00 - $1,500.00
3806 Colt .22 Caliber Experimental Prototype Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box and Factory Letter $2,000.00 - $3,000.00
3809 Experimental Prototype Colt First Series Match Target Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter $2,500.00 - $4,500.00
3812 Colt Factory Experimental Prototype Huntsman Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box and Factory Letter $1,500.00 - $2,500.00
(c) 2006-2010 Rock Island Auction Company     info@rockislandauction.com     1-800-238-8022     4507 49th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265