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LOT 417
LOT 419
Early Three Digit Serial Number
C547 Colt Government Model
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. C547, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1912, the first year of
production for the commercial Government Model, this early, three-digit
serial number pistol represented the cutting edge of firearm technology
at the time. The slide bears the two-line, two-block address and patent
markings on the left side of the slide with the circled Rampant Colt behind
the serrations. The right of the slide has the caliber markings. “VP” and “K” are on the trigger guard, and “GOVERNMENT MODEL” is on the front right side of the frame. The early three-digit serial number is located on the left of the frame, which was only standard on the first 2,250 Government Models. The barrel is a replacement, marked “P” on the left of the lug and “S” on the right. A rich, fiery niter blue finish is present on the checkered wide hammer, checkered thumb safety and slide catch, the magazine catch, and the long smooth trigger. Fitted with a lanyard ring on the butt, a set of diamond pattern checkered grips, and an unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop on the bottom.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish and 60% of the
original nitre blue with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered patches of light pitting.
The grips are fair with some scattered minor dings and scratches, some light wear, and well-defined checkering overall. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 420
Exceptional Pre-World War
II Colt Government Model
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. C162282, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1932, this is an exceptional example of a pre-World War
II commercial production Colt Government Model pistol. The left side of
the matching number slide has the two-line address/patent dates and the
right side has the caliber marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left of
the trigger guard is marked “1/VP” and the right is marked “60”. The right side of the frame has
the Government Model marking over the serial number. It has the “improved model” features
including the short checkered trigger, dished frame sides, and arched checkered mainspring
housing with a lanyard loop. Fitted with full checkered grips and an unmarked two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% of the original blue finish with some very light edge wear, some
light wear visible on the trigger, and some very light specks of surface oxidation on the front strap
and grip safety. The grips are also excellent with minimal handling evidence and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 421
Excellent Pre-World War II Colt
Ace Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. 964, 22 LR cal., 4 3/4 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1931. Blade front and
adjustable notch rear sights, the two-line address and patent dates on
the left side of the slide, the Rampant Colt ahead of the serrations, and
the Colt Ace logo and caliber markings on the right. The frame is marked
“20” on the right side of the trigger guard, “3/VP” on the left and fitted with
a replacement long smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, checkered arched mainspring housing, a set of fully checkered grips, and a two-tone magazine with Colt Ace marked base. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the original high polish blue finish with some very light edge wear concentrated on the leading edges of the slide and some light wear/handling marks on the grip straps. The grips are also excellent with minimal handling evidence and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
Pre-World War II Colt National Match Semi-
Automatic Pistol Attributed to John Wayne
- Serial no. C183375, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1937, the
pistol includes a document from Collector’s Firearms
of Houston, Texas attributing the pistol as having been
part of the Michael Wayne collection sold in 2003, and
as having been carried by his father, John Wayne, in
war movies in which he played a role. The left of the
matching number slide is marked with the standard
two-line address and patent dates while the left has
the standard National Match and caliber markings. The
left of the trigger guard is marked “P/VP”, the right “38”,
and the right of the frame has the Government Model
marking over the serial number. Fitted with blade and notch sights, a pair of full checkered grips marked “DAMON” on the inside of each panel, and an unmarked two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% of the original blue finish with the balance a smooth grey patina, primarily in the form of some scattered light handling marks, some light edge wear, and light
wear on the grip straps. The replacement grips are fine with minimal handling evidence and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 418
Documented Very Fine Pre-World War II Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Factory Letter - Serial no. C127792, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1921, this is an exceptional example of a pre-World War II commercial Colt Government Model pistol. The left side of the matching numbered slide has the two-line address/patent dates and the right side has the caliber marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left of the trigger guard is marked “W/VP” and the right is marked “K/82”. The right side of the frame has the Government Model marking over the serial number. It has the “old model” features including the long smooth trigger, short grip safety, wide checkered hammer, and flat
smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop. The
barrel has a polished chamber and a faint mark on
the bottom in front of the lug. Fitted with diamond
pattern checkered grips and an unmarked two-tone
magazine. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to Supple-Biddle Hardware Company in Philadelphia on 13 January 1921.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the original high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily on leading edges and the grip straps. The grips are fine with wear on the bottom edges of both panels, a few scattered minor dings, and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
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