Page 299 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1580
World War II Era U.S. Navy Shipped Colt Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 714407, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1939, this is one of 3,636 pistols ordered by the U.S. Navy in early 1939.
The main change visible on these pistols when compared to previous examples was the shortening of the hammer spur, which
was shortened by approximately 1/8 inch, putting it more in line with the original short hammer which was adopted in 1911. The left
of the matching serialized slide has the two-line, two-block patent dates and address separated by the Rampant Colt and a “P” proof on top. The blued barrel is marked
“COLT 45 AUTO” on the left over “P” on the lug. “F” is stamped on the bottom. The left of the frame is marked “P”, while the right has the standard U.S. property and army nomenclature along with the serial number. Fitted with blade and notch sights, short milled trigger, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard
loop, checkered walnut grips, and a two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% of the original blue finish with some scattered light handling marks, light edge/ grip strap wear, and takedown marks. The grips are very fine with a few scattered minor blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 1581
World War II U.S. Military Inspected Colt Service Model Ace Semi-Automatic Pistol
Attributed to Bill Jordan - Serial no. SM12052, 22 LR cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., parkerized finish,
plastic grips. Manufactured in 1945, this is one of only 11,961 Service Model Ace pistols
acquired by the United States military. This example was included in the last shipment to Springfield Armory
of 749 pistols on 18 September 1945. The left side of the slide has the two-line address and patent dates
followed by a Rampant Colt, and the right side has the standard Service Model Ace markings. The right side
of the frame has the crossed cannon ordnance marking and U.S. property marking over the serial number and the
left side is marked “J.S.B.” near the trigger guard. Fitted with blade front and adjustable notch rear sights, short stamped trigger, long grip safety, serrated arched mainspring housing, narrow checkered hammer, and a blue magazine with Service Model Ace
markings on the base. Includes two scans of correspondence referring to the pistol by serial number, both signed by Bill Jordan, author of “No Second Place Winner”. One of which is dated 1971 and appears to be in a signed copy of a book, with Jordan claiming that the pistol was one of his personal guns.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the arsenal refurbished parkerized
finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges and the grip straps. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1582
World War II U.S. Navy Shipped Colt Model
1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 715676, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in 1939, this
is one of 3,636 pistols ordered by the U.S. Navy
in early 1939. The main change visible on these pistols when compared to previous examples was the shortening of the
hammer spur, which was shortened by approximately 1/8 inch, putting it more in line with the original short hammer which was adopted in 1911. The left of the slide has the two-line, two-block patent dates and address separated by the Rampant Colt
and a “P” proof on top. The barrel is reparkerized and is marked “COLT 45 AUTO” on the left over “P” on the lug. “F” is stamped on the
bottom. The left of the frame is marked “P” and “H”, while the right has the standard U.S. property and army nomenclature along with the serial number. The barrel is marked “F” on the bottom. Fitted with blade and notch sights, short milled trigger, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop, reinforced grips, and an unmarked full blue magazine. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% plus of the arsenal applied refurbished
parkerized finish with some light edge and handling wear, primarily on
the grip straps, and some light handling marks. The grips are also very fine
with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent.
Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
Collector’s Fact
One of only 3,636 Colt 1911A1 pistols ordered by the U.S. Navy in 1939.
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