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RUSSIAN
CONTRACT COLT
GOVERNMENT MODEL
Additionally, some reports of the final assassination of
Tsar Nicholas II and his family put a pair of Colt .45 ACP pistols among the weapons used by the Bolshevik party, in particular one used by Yakov Yurovsky, leader of the squad who is noted as having fired the opening shot directly into the Tsar’s chest. Russian Contract Government Model Colts are very rare on the American market in any condition, as they saw hard use through multiple conflicts and virtually none were ever exported by the Soviet Union. The left side of the slide has the two-line, two-block address and patent dates with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations and
the caliber marking on the right side. The left side of the frame is marked with the aforementioned contract marking and “VP” and “y” on the trigger guard, with the model marking and serial number on the right. It is fitted with the standard blade and notch sights, long smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, smooth mainspring housing, diamond pattern checkered grips, lanyard loop, and an unmarked two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the high polish commercial blue finish with the balance a smooth grey patina, primarily in the form of some light holster and
grip type wear. The otherwise excellent grips have a few scattered minor dings on the lower left panel and crisp checkering on the balance. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
The Winter Palace
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