Page 430 - 83-BOOK1

SERIAL NUMBER 90
LOT 1581
Exceptionally Rare, Early Production, Two Digit Serial Number 90 Norwegian Kongsberg
Vapenfabrikk Model 1912 Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. 90, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. This is a solid representative example of a rarely seen,
exceptionally early production, Norwegian Kongsberg Model 1912. Norway has the distinction of being the first foreign country to adopt Colt’s Model
1911 for military service, as well as being the first foreign country to produce
them under license. From 1917 to the early 1930s approximately 20,000 of these
pistols were produced at the Kongsberg plant. This pistol is a scarce example of
the very earliest production at the Kongsberg factory which commenced after a
couple small orders of a few hundred pistols from Colt. This example has a very
early slide marking on the left, “COLT AUT. PISTOL M/1912”, which was found on only the first 500 pistols produced. A similar example is pictured on p. 216 of “Colt Automatic Pistols” by Bady. The standard crowned proofs are also present
on the left of the slide along with the matching serial number on the slide, frame, and small parts. The right side of the slide
has the “1917” year of production with “A” below it. The pistol exhibits the standard dull military blue finish
and is fitted with blade and notch sights, professionally restored numbered to match early pattern small
slide stop which is often seen arsenal updated to the later extended version, numbered barrel bushing,
checkered thumb safety, checkered wide hammer, short grip safety, smooth flat mainspring housing with
lanyard loop, diamond pattern checkered grips, and an unmarked full blue magazine with a lanyard loop on the base. CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% plus of the arsenal refinished blue finish, 50% of the original nitre blue on the trigger, and traces on the thumb safety, with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina. The grips are also fine with some scattered minor blemishes in the well-defined checkering overall. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Collector’s Fact
Only the first 500 Kongsberg pistols were produced with the slide marking “COLT AUT. PISTOL M/1912”.
SIMILAR EXAMPLE PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK COLT AUTOMATIC PISTOLS BY BADY
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1582
Documented Pre-World War II Norwegian Kongsberg Model 1914 Semi-Automatic Pistol with 22 Conversion Kit, Factory Letter,
and Holster - Serial no. 10044, 11.25 mm cal., 5 inch round bbl., phosphate finish, hard rubber grips. The Norwegian Kongsberg Model 1914 was a slightly modified copy of the U.S. Model 1911 pistol used by the Norwegian army. This Model 1914 features a slide dated “1926” on the right side. The left side of the slide is marked with the caliber, model, and serial number marking with the monogram of King Haakon and the Kongsberg Crest. Inspection mark below the date and behind the rear sight. Barrel, slide and frame feature British proofs. Matching serial numbers found on slide, frame, trigger, hammer, safety, slide stop, mainspring housing, grip safety, ejector, magazine catch, firing pin stop, barrel, barrel bushing, and recoil spring plug. Includes brown leather holster, one 22 caliber conversion/adapter barrel, six cartridge adapters, and factory letter giving background information for the conversion unit. From 1928 to 1934 conversion units were produced for these pistols which consisted of a .22 caliber barrel which converted the pistol to a straight blow back mechanism and seven cartridge adapters in the size and shape of .45 ACP but hollowed out to accept .22 long rifle ammunition through a normal magazine. This pistol is documented on page 143 of “Kongsberg Colten” by Karl Egil Hanevik. CONDITION: Excellent. Retaining 90% plus original phosphate finish with limited handling marks and some light pitting on the slide serrations. The grips are fine
with dings and scratches in the checkering and a reapplied coat of black paint. The holster is very good with typical wear from use. The conversion unit is fine with some spotting on a few of the adapters and barrel. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK KONGSBERG-COLTEN BY HANEVIK
428