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Scarce Early Three-Digit Serial Numbered U.S. Contract Colt Model 1911 Pistol from the Prestigious Dr. Azar Collection
THIS PISTOL WAS PRODUCED WITH THE EARLY HIGH POLISHED FINISH WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE “DULL BLUE” FINISH AT APPROXIMATELY SERIAL NUMBER 2400, IN APRIL OF 1912
Collector’s Fact
This extremely early, three digit serial numbered Colt Model 1911 pistol was manufactured in the first month of production in 1912.
276
LOT 3524
U.S. Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Highly Desirable Early Production Three Digit Serial Number 193 - Serial no. 193, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is a highly desirable early production U.S. military contract, Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol with the early slide markings, early nitre blue finished small parts, and the rare and very desirable early small serial number markings. This early pistol was manufactured and assembled
in the first month of production. It was shipped to the Commanding Officer of Springfield Armory on Feb 3, 1912 in a shipment of 200 pistols. The pistol has the lustrous high polish Colt commercial blue finish with the nitre blue finish on the thumb safety, slide stop, hammer, trigger, and mainspring cap. The high polish finish was replaced by the military “dull finish” blue at approximately serial number 2400 on April 24, 1912. The slide is marked with the early two-line, two-block Colt factory address and patent dates and circled Rampant Colt along with “MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY” on the left and right of the slide respectively. The right side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard is stamped with the very early and highly desirable small serial number markings of “No. 193” which were changed to “N” with an underlined “o” at serial number 4501 and then moved between the grip and slide stop hole
at serial number 7501. The left side stamped with the smaller “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” which had only just been adopted at serial number 104, and the circled
“WGP” monogram of Ordnance Inspector Walter G. Penfield above the magazine release. It is fitted with a blade front sight and round top notch rear sight, checkered wide hammer, checkered slide stop, thumb safety, and magazine catch, short grip safety, smooth mainspring housing, lanyard loop, replacement diamond pattern checkered grips, and
a replacement two-tone magazine with
lanyard loop on the bottom. The barrel
and bushing are a later production “K”
marked replacement with polished hood.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the
original high polish blue and 70% of the original nitre blue with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of very light surface pitting. The replacement grips are fine with minimal handling evidence and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000