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LOT 559
Scarce Early Production U.S. Navy ontract Early Colt Model 1911 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 6782, 45 ACP cal., inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. A
otal of 15,037 of these pistols were manufactured
y Colt with the desirable U.S. Navy slide marking, all of which were elivered prior to April of 1915. After that, all Model 1911 pistols elivered to the navy would bear the standard U.S. Army nomenclature, f which there were approximately 578,473 manufactured, making
his variation comparatively very scarce. This is an example of a 1912 production, U.S. Navy contract, Colt Model 1911 pistol that was shipped on 5 October 1912 to the Brooklyn
Navy Yard (“The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911” by Goddard). The left side
of the slide is marked with the standard two-line, two-block Colt address and patent dates with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the right bears the desirable “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY” marking. The brushed blue later production replacement barrel is marked with “S” and “P” on the left of the lug. The left side of the frame has the U.S. property marking and “WGP” circled monogram above the magazine release, while
the serial number is on the right. It is fitted with blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, checkered slide catch, thumb safety, magazine catch, and wide hammer, long smooth trigger, smooth flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, a pair of
diamond pattern checkered walnut grips, and a unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the partially refinished blue finish, most noticeable on the grip strap, trigger guard, top of
the slide, and mainspring housing, with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, most noticeably on edges and the top of the slide. The replacement grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 560
Desirable “EXP” Series Serial Number 88 U.S. Union Switch & Signal
Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
88, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic
grips. Representing the very beginning of 1911A1 production at Union Switch & Signal, the “EXP.” pistols were the very first trial run for the machinery, workers, and production line at U.S.&S., during
which equipment and procedures were refined and prepared for full scale wartime contract production. While the “EXP” pistols themselves were never intended for delivery to the Army, they played a critical role in preparing a company otherwise dedicated to railroad equipment to help fill America’s need for quality, combat-worthy pis
Approximately 100 “EXP” pistols were made in total, and at the conclusion of the war they were broken out of storage and finished out as a presentation series for important members of the company and selected government officials. Finished in a fine full blue, this pistol follows the overall military pattern closely, with the company address and trademark on the left side of the slide and model nomenclature on the right. No
U.S. inspector or property markings are present and the right side
of the frame is marked “U S & S CO./EXP. No.88”. Fitted with a flat top rear sight, short stamped trigger, long grip safety, thin checkered hammer, slide stop, thumb safety, and mainspring housing, reinforced checkered grips, “L” marked full blue magazine, and a
High Standard barrel.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 98% plus of the factory blue finish with some very light edge wear and a few scattered light handling marks. the grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
  Collector’s Fact
1 of only 15,037 Colt Model 1911 pistols manufactured with the U.S. Navy slide legend, compared to 578,473 with the standard U.S. Army marking.
 tols.
 Collector’s Fact
1 of only approximately 100 Union Switch & Signal “EXP” marked pistols were produced.
 SERIAL NUMBER 88
UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL FACTORY
      




























































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