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LOT 414
Rare Documented World War I U.S. Marine Corps Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 209724, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1917, this pistol was part of a 200 gun shipment on 4 June 1917 to the United States Marine Corps Depot Quartermaster in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration, with the grips not listed, as well as the previously mentioned shipping information. During the course of World War I, Colt shipped a total of approximately 9,950 Model 1911 pistols to the Marine Corps and at least 25 Government Models, making these pistols incredibly scarce in comparison to their Army shipped counterparts. Unlike the Navy contract Model 1911 pistols, many of which have a special slide marking, those that were shipped to the Marine Corps had the standard Army nomenclature, as is present on this example. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line, two-block address and patent markings with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations and “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” on the right. The frame is marked with the serial number on the right and the U.S. property marking and circled “GHS” inspection mark on the left. The full blue barrel is marked on the chamber hood with “P/H” and “5” on the bottom in front of the lug. Fitted with blade and slat top notch sights, checkered slide stop, thumb safety, and wide hammer, short grip safety, smooth flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, a pair of diamond pattern checkered grips, and a two-tone magazine with pinned base. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina in the form of holster/handling wear. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An opportunity to add a rare, World War I era, U.S. Marine Corps shipped Colt Model 1911 to your collection!
Estimate: 15,000 - 22,500