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LOT 463
Very Fine Scarce U.S.
Colt Transitional Model
1911/1911A1 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
708528, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, plastic
grips. Starting in September of 1920, the Ordnance Board began
to make suggestions for modifications to the Model 1911 pistol
based on experience from World War I, and by April of 1923 OCM
Item 2890 was standardized and recommended by the department.
A pilot series of 10,000 pistols was approved with some production issues
arising throughout 1923, but by January 1924 the first “Improved Models” were being
delivered and were also known as the Transitional Model 1911s. This example was shipped
on 25 July 1924 to Springfield Armory. While they retained the nomenclature markings of
the 1911, they were equipped with the signature features of the 1911A1 which included
the dished frame sides, shortened trigger, elongated grip safety, and arched mainspring
housing. Fitted with round blade front and flat top notch rear sights, with the two-line,
two-block address and patent markings divided by the Rampant Colt logo on the left side
of the replacement slide, “MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY” on the right, and “H” above the firing
pin stop plate. The frame bears the circular Walter Gordon
“WTG” inspection stamp, with the short milled checkered
trigger, wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, checkered
mainspring housing with lanyard loop, full blue replacement
barrel with “P” on the lug, a full blue “S” magazine, and fitted
with a later replacement pair of reinforced grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% of the original blue finish
with the balance having thinned to a mostly smooth grey
patina, primarily on edges and the grip straps, and a small
patch of very light surface pitting on the left of the replacement slide. The custom recoil spring, plug, and guide are modern replacements, the latter with a full length guide rod. The replacement grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 464
Exceptional World War I
U.S. Contract Colt Model
1911 “Black Army” Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. 425461, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. In July of 1918, in an effort to further speed up production, Colt changed the finishing process
on the Model 1911 yet again. This involved the polishing process ending at the “rough” stage, with the blue finish being applied to this “rough” or brushed surface which
led to a much darker, almost
black, appearance. This example
was manufactured circa August/
September of 1918, and is an
example of a “Black Army”, as they
came to be known. The left side
of the slide has the standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address with the
Rampant Colt between, and “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” on the right. The frame is marked
with the serial number on the right, with the U.S. property marking and eagle head inspection
mark on the left. The full blue barrel is marked with “P/H” on the chamber and “5” on the bottom in front of the lug. Fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slide stop, thumb safety, magazine release, and wide hammer, long smooth trigger, short grip safety, flat smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop, and an
unmarked two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the original blue finish with a speckling of brown patina on the mainspring housing and front grip strap. The grips are excellent plus with crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 465
Outstanding World War II U.S. Colt Model 1911A1
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 955952, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, plastic grips.
Manufactured in 1943, during the height of World War II. The left side of
the matching serialized slide is marked with the two-line/two-block address separated by the Rampant Colt, “G.H.D.” inspected frame with “M/VP” proof, matching “P” proofs on the frame and slide, and standard U.S. property and army nomenclature on the right of the frame. Fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slide catch, thumb safety, and wide hammer, long grip safety, and arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop. Fitted with a full blue “L” marked magazine, full blue barrel with “P” on the lug, and reinforced checkered grips.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of
the original parkerized finish with some very light edge wear and light takedown marks. The grips are excellent with a few scattered light blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 466
Recorded General Officer
Issue U.S. Colt Model 1903
Pocket Hammerless Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
568525, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1943, this pistol
is recorded by serial number on p. 94 in Greeley’s “U.S. General Officers’ Pistol” as among the Model 1903 pistols issued for carry by a General Officer; the identification comes from arsenal records, with a noted issue date
of 1967. This is also confirmed on p. 144 of “The
Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols” by Brunner as
well as listing issue to Brigadier General W.R. Allen.
This could be Brigadier General Wayne R. Allen (1899-
1975) who was a general purchasing agent on General Eisenhower’s staff during World War II and in 1947 was
made a permanent brigadier general of the line Officer’s
Reserve Corps. Fixed sights, with the two-line address
and patent block on the left side of the slide ahead of the
Rampant Colt, the caliber marking on the right, and “U.S. PROPERTY” on the frame. Parkerized finish, with Rampant
Colt medallions on the checkered grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 98% plus of the arsenal
refurbished parkerized finish with faint U.S. property
marking, some very light edge wear and only the slightest handling marks. The grips are fine with a few scattered
light blemishes in the overall moderately worn
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
SERIAL NUMBER LISTED IN
THE BOOK THE COLT POCKET HAMMERLESS PISTOLS BY BRUNNER
327