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LOT 1505
Very Fine Scarce Documented
U.S. Colt Transitional Model
1911/1911A1 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 706786, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut 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 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, blue barrel with conjoined “HP” on the chamber, and a “B” marked two-tone magazine. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as the shipment date. Also included is an Ordnance Department shipping receipt, an extra magazine, cleaning kit, and a custom hardwood case.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish with some light edge wear, slight thinning on the grip safety, and a few small dark spots of light pitting on top of the slide. The barrel has been polished in the chamber hood area but retains blue on the remaining surface areas. The grips are very fine with a minor dent on the right, a few scattered light blemishes, and otherwise crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1506
Excellent World War II U.S. Colt
Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. 871690, 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 slide is marked with the two-line/two-block address separated by the Rampant Colt, “G.H.D.” inspected frame with “W/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 spur hammer, long
grip safety, and arched checkered
mainspring housing with lanyard loop. Fitted with a full blue “R” marked magazine, full blue “G” inspected barrel marked “COLT 45 AUTO”, and reinforced checkered grips.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original parkerized finish with some scattered light edge/cycling wear and a light takedown mark. The grips are excellent with minimal handling evidence and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1507
Documented
Pentagon Shipped
U.S. Property
Marked World War
II Production Colt
Model 1903 Pocket
Hammerless Semi-
Automatic Pistol
with Factory Letter
and Box - Serial no.
571829, 32 ACP cal.,
3 3/4 inch round
bbl., parkerized
finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in
1945 with “U.S.
PROPERTY” mark on
the right side of the
frame. Introduced as
a commercial pistol,
the 1903 was adopted by the U.S. military after
proving a commercial success and became
the standard sidearm for General Officers
during WWII and still issued into the 1970s.
Although this pistol’s serial number falls in the
middle of known General Officer pistols, it is
not identified as such (571827 and 571833 are
identified). The grip safety has been drilled
and tapped with two holes, likely for a grip
extension that is no longer included. The included factory
letter confirms lists shipment to the Quartermaster Depot in
Cameron, Virginia for the Property Officer at the Pentagon
Building in Washington, D.C. on 20 February 1945. Includes
a Kraft style box hand re-numbered to the gun, marked “A
Pierce Jr” inside the lid.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original parkerized finish with minimal scattered light handling marks some very light spotting, and the two drilled and tapped holes as mentioned above. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered light blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with minimal handling/storage wear.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1508
U.S. Property Marked
World War II Production
Colt Model 1903 Pocket
Hammerless Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 561578, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1942 with “U.S. PROPERTY” mark on the right side of the
frame. Matching number slide and frame. Introduced as a
commercial pistol, the 1903 was adopted by the U.S. military after proving
a commercial success and became the standard sidearm for General Officers during WWII and still issued into the 1970s. Although this pistol’s serial number falls in the middle of known General Officer pistols, it is not identified as such (561576 and 561590 are identified).
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish with some light edge wear and light wear on the grip straps showing a smooth grey patina, along with some scattered light spotting. The grips
are also very fine with a few scattered light blemishes in the
overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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