Manufactured in 1945, this is one of only 11,961 Service Model Ace pistols acquired by the United States military. This example was included in the last shipment to Springfield Armory of 749 pistols on 18 September 1945. The left side of the slide has the two-line address and patent dates followed by a Rampant Colt, and the right side has the standard Service Model Ace markings. The right side of the frame has the crossed cannon ordnance marking and U.S. property marking over the serial number and the left side is marked "J.S.B." near the trigger guard. Fitted with blade front and adjustable notch rear sights, short stamped trigger, long grip safety, serrated arched mainspring housing, narrow checkered hammer, and a blue magazine with Service Model Ace markings on the base. Includes two scans of correspondence referring to the pistol by serial number, both signed by Bill Jordan, author of "No Second Place Winner". One of which is dated 1971 and appears to be in a signed copy of a book, with Jordan claiming that the pistol was one of his personal guns. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection

Very fine, retains 85% plus of the arsenal refurbished parkerized finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges and the grip straps. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.