Page 289 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1554
Desirable Early Production Three Digit Serial Number Colt Military Model 1905 Semi- Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
LOT 1556
Desirable Early Production Three Digit
Serial Number Colt Government Model
Commercial Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
C352, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish,
checkered walnut grips. This is a very early “three
digit” Colt Commercial Government Model semi-automatic pistol that
was manufactured in 1912. The pistol has a high polish blue finish,
barrel with polished chamber, checkered walnut stocks and the rare
early, “punch and saw cut” two-tone magazine with the lanyard loop on
the base. The right side of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL”
towards the front of the frame extension with the early serial number
marked on the left side also towards the front of the frame. The left trigger
guard bow is marked with a “K” assembler’s mark on the lower rear end and
with the Colt “triangle/VP” proofmark on the upper front edge. The right side
of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 45” below the ejection
port. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line/two-block
1897, 1902, 1905 and 1911 patent dates and address with the circled
Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The slide has the early narrow front
sight and the early, correct round top rear sight. It has an early, all blued
Colt barrel that is marked with only a single “N” in front of the barrel lug.
The top of the frame by the disconnector hole is stamped with a single “S”
inspectors mark. The frame has the Type III magazine catch lock, a short
hammer with the checkering with the sharp rear edge, first style military
slide stop, safety lock with thin thumb piece and recoil plug with inward punched lip. It is fitted with a set of checkered walnut grips with the large raised diamonds around the grip screws.
CONDITION: Fine, with 50% of the original blued finish remaining with wear and finish loss on the edges and high spots, the front end of the slide and the front and rear grip straps. The front of the trigger has been period non-factory crudely serrated. The grip screws are refinished. The heavily worn grips are very good showing even wear across the tops of the checkering with a couple handling marks. This is a solid representative example of an early production, Colt Government Model semi- automatic pistol.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1557
Excellent Documented
Colt Vest Pocket Model
1908 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Box and
Factory Letter - Serial
no. 374275, 25 ACP cal.,
2 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1928 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 “91” marked trigger guard, and
standard features. The included factory letter
confirms the current configuration as well
as shipment to Jordan Hardware Co. for H.C.
Middleton on 19 November 1928. Includes the original Colt maroon box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% of the original blue and vivid casehardened finishes with only
the slightest handling evidence. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with one side panel of the lid detached and mild wear.
Provenance: The Doug Ellison Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
150, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1906, this is one of only 6,210 Colt “Military
Model of 1905” pistols manufactured over a period of six years.
These pistols are a very important evolutionary step in the
development of Colt automatic pistols and the Model 1911 as
they were the first production Colt automatic chambered for the
legendary .45 ACP cartridge. This pistol, serial number 150, was
manufactured even before Colt began fabricating two model
room examples of the Model 1905 which would later be submitted
to the 1907 U.S. military pistol trials. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line/two-block
patent dates and address, with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The left side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. The left side of the frame is marked with the serial number and the left of the trigger guard has a “VP” proof and “1”. It has rounded blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, and the rounded checkered hammer. It is fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered grips and an unmarked full blue magazine.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% plus of the original high polish blue finish, 50% of the original case colors, and 40% of the original nitre blue with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey-brown patina, primarily on edges and the grip straps. The grips are very good with some scattered light blemishes in the moderately worn checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1555
Pre-World War II Colt Super
.38 Semi-Automatic Pistol with
Engraved Silver Grips - Serial
no. 1592, 38 super auto cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, silver grips.
Manufactured in 1929, the first year of production. 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 “1” over “VP”, and the right of the trigger guard is marked “20”. Fitted with blade and notch rear sights, wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing, sterling silver grips mounted with copper Maya calendars, diamonds, and Mexican eagles, and a two-tone .38 Super Auto magazine. CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to
a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges and the grip straps, and some scattered patches of light pitting, primarily on the slide. The replacement grips are fine showing an attractive antique patina and crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
SERIAL NUMBER C352
SERIAL NUMBER 150
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