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LOT 3521
Unique Korean Marked Copy of the U.S. 1911A1 Semi- Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 43, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., bright finish, hardwood grips. Identical to examples attributed to the Pusan Iron Works in Pusan (currently
romanticized as Busan), South Korea, this is a close copy of the
U.S. 1911A1 semi-automatic pistol. One of the few areas not to fall into North Korean hands in the
opening months of the Korean War, Pusan (namesake of the Pusan Perimeter held by U.N. forces) would
be a critical nerve center for the eventual breakout back north, and the Iron Works is believed to have worked with a combination of in-house and American components. Most of the changes to the design
are for more streamlined production, like the elimination of grip screw bushings in favor of a wide-bodied grip screw that attaches straight to the frame and the use of a longer, non-inertia driven firing pin, for example. Blade front
and notch rear sights, with one line of Korean markings on the left side of the slide and another on the right side of the frame over the serial number. Fitted with a serrated short trigger, dished frame sides, thin serrated hammer, long grip safety,
arched serrated mainspring housing, checkered grips, “L” marked magazine, and an unmarked barrel. The barrel shows some polishing in regions associated with WWII era inspector marks, and may be a U.S. component, along with the magazine.
CONDITION: Fine. The bright surface has taken on a mixed gray patina, with patches of pitting on the slide and frame, edge wear, and handling marks. The grips are good, with strong checkering and mild wear. Mechanically needs adjustment.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3522
Unique Vietnamese-Marked Copy of the Colt Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 0045, 45 ACP cal., 4 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured by an
unknown party, this pistol bears a strong resemblance to known “underground”
pistols from the Indochina/Vietnam region. Such weapons were pressed into service for the First Indochina War against the French, and would continue to be used by factions on both sides of the North/South split after the French
left; such weapons are often associated with the Viet Cong, and a very similar weapon pictured on page 720 of “Small Arms of the World” by Smith is identified to the “Cao Dai’ religious sect from the South. Made chiefly by hand in
crude workshops, Smith notes that these weapons have been seen with finish “surprisingly good considering the circumstances under which they were made”. Made in direct emulation of the 1911A1, the frame and slide of this pistol
are assembled from multiple, smaller sub-components which were assembled and brazed together, in lieu of single piece forged components. The slide is marked “THI DUA AP BAC 1963” on the left side, roughly translated “in emulation of
Ap Bac 1963”; Ap Bac in 1963 was the site of a major engagement between the Viet Cong and the U.S.-backed Southern Vietnamese armed forces. Spun by both sides as a victory, the battle is notable as the VC’s first “stand-up fight” against
the conventional Southern military, scoring about 80 casualties and knocking out 5 helicopters, and was heavily touted in
North Vietnamese propaganda. The right side is marked “C.T. HUYEN NGOC-HIEN”, with “C12” on the frame below. Consignor
statements indicate C.T. Huyen as a VC commander, and “C12” the designation of his unit. Ngoc-Hien is a rural district in the Mekong Delta region of South Vietnam. The grips are checkered walnut, with a
short trigger, dished frame sides, thin hammer, long grip safety and an arched mainspring housing. The magazine is full blue, with “L” (M.S. Little) stamped on the toe, an American-made component.
CONDITION: Very good, with strong traces of the original blue finish, with a mixed brown and gray patina overall, scattered spotting, minor pitting, and mild handling marks. The thumb safety has been broken off and is absent. The grips show moderate wear on and around the screws, dents and scratches. Mechanically needs adjustment.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3523
Unique and Very Scarce North Vietnamese/Viet Cong Copy
of a Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - NSN, 45 ACP cal., 4
3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Manufactured by an unknown party,
this pistol bears a strong resemblance to known “underground” pistols from the Indochina/Vietnam
region. Such weapons were pressed into service for the First Indochina War against the French, and would continue to be used by factions on both sides of the North/South split after the French left; such weapons are often associated with the Viet Cong, and a
very similar weapon pictured on page 837 of “Small Arms of the World” by Ezell is identified to the “Cao Dai’ religious sect from the South. Made chiefly by hand in crude workshops, Ezell notes that these weapons have been seen with finish “surprisingly good considering the circumstances under
which they were made”. Made in direct emulation of the 1911A1, the frame and slide of this pistol are assembled from multiple, smaller sub-components which were assembled and brazed together, in lieu of single piece forged components. There are no visible markings apart from a faint five pointed star, a symbol seen
on both the North Vietnam and Viet Cong flags, brazed into the bottom of the slide just in front of the frame. Fitted with blade and notch sights, hand-filed slide serrations, checkered wide hammer, not functioning grip and thumb safeties, checkered
plastic grips, serrated mainspring housing with lanyard loop, and a crude full blue magazine.
CONDITION: Very good, retains traces of the original blue finish showing the typical marks of a crude war-expedient handmade
weapon, with tooling and assembling marks throughout. The grips are also very good with a small crack near the left upper screw, a few minor handling marks, and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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