Page 286 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1547
Exceptional Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. 36173, 38 Colt auto cal., 6 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1914, this
Military Model of 1902 pistol exhibits the mid-production high
polish blue finish and spurred hammer which was just beginning to be phased
in, and was standard by approximately serial number 37000. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line patent date and two-line address arranged in
two blocks with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right side of the
slide has the two-line caliber marking, “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. The left side of the frame has the serial number and “VP” and “P” on the left of the trigger guard. It is fitted with blade and rounded top notch sights, a lanyard swivel on the lower left of the grip frame, checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts and “COLT” banners, and an unmarked full blue magazine. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 85% plus of the original case colors, and 80% plus of the original nitre blue with some scattered light
handling marks, light edge wear, and some faint thinning on the back strap. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 1548
Very Fine British Proofed Pre-World War II
Colt Super .38 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. 23490, 38 super auto cal., 5 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1936,
these Super .38 pistols were first shown to the public
at the August 1928 Camp Perry National Matches, and were available for purchase by the start of 1929. The left side of the matching number slide
is marked with the two-line address and patent dates, while the right side bears the caliber marking along with the Rampant Colt. The serial number is on the right of the frame, the left of the trigger guard is marked “P” over “VP”, and the right of the trigger guard is marked “38”. British commercial proofs are visible on the frame, slide, and correct circled “MB” marked barrel. Fitted with blade and notch sights, polished firing pin stop, wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing, checkered grips, and a later production post-war replacement .38 Super Auto magazine.
LOT 1549
Early Three Digit Serial Number Colt Government
Model Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. C565, 45
ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1912, the first year of production for
the commercial Government Model. This early, three-digit
serial number pistol represented the cutting edge of firearm technology and was one of the early pistols that established a reputation for striking power and a lineage of dependability that has carried the
model through more than a century in military and civilian hands alike. The slide bears the two- line, two-block address and patent markings
on the left side of the slide with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The early pattern barrel is polished blue with brush blue on the rear portion and is marked “N” on the bottom ahead of the lug. The right of the slide has the caliber markings. “VP” and “K” are on the trigger guard, and “GOVERNMENT MODEL” is
on the right side of the frame. The early three-digit
serial number is located on the left of the frame, which was only standard on the first 2,250 Government Models. A rich, fiery niter blue finish is present on the checkered wide hammer, checkered thumb safety, slide catch, the magazine catch, and the long smooth trigger. Fitted with a lanyard ring on the butt, a set of diamond pattern checkered grips, and a later production replacement unmarked two-tone magazine with
lanyard loop on the bottom.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% of the bright original high polish blue finish and 60% of the original nitre blue with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily in the form of holster type wear on high spots and on the grip straps. The grips are also fine with some scattered light handling marks, wear on the lower portions of both panels, and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1550
Excellent Colt Model 1908
Vest Pocket Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Pearl Grips, Box,
and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 340963, 25 ACP cal., 2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, pearl
grips. Manufactured in 1923 with
standard two-line address/patent
dates and Rampant Colt on the left
of the slide, caliber marking on the
right, serial number on the left of
the frame, “1/VP” and “89” marked
trigger guard, and standard
features. Includes a factory Colt
maroon box that appears to be faintly numbered to the gun. The included factory letter confirms the current nickel plated configuration with the grips not listed when shipped to Belknap Hardware & Mfg. Co. in Louisville, Kentucky on 26 December 1923.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original
nickel finish with only the slightest handling marks. The
grips are also excellent with minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with some light wear, mostly on edges and corners. Provenance: The Doug Ellison Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue with numerous light dings and scratches scattered throughout and some light edge wear. The grips are very good with some minor dings and scratches and a few flat spots in the otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically functions fine, although is quite stiff. Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
SERIAL NUMBER C565