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LOT 1420
Exceptionally Fine Colt Model 1905 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 5778, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1909,
this is one of only 6,210 Colt “Military Model of 1905” pistols manufactured over a period of six years.
These pistols were the first production Colt automatic chambered for the legendary .45 ACP cartridge. 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 “W”. It has rounded blade front and rounded top notch rear sights and the later spur-type checkered hammer. It is fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered grips and an unmarked full blue magazine.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 80% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily on high spots and edges, and a few scattered patches of minor pitting on the slide. The grips are very fine with a coat of protective varnish, a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A
must have piece for a complete Colt automatic collection!
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER RANGE IN COLT .45 SERVICE PISTOLS BY CLAWSON
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,000
LOT 1421
Scarce Documented World War I Canadian Government Contract
Colt Government Model Semi- Automatic Pistol - Serial no. C9688,
45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1914, very early in production
of the commercial production Government Model, this 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. With the outbreak of World War
I, the Canadian government realized the potential of Colt’s formidable semi-auto and ordered 5,000 of them, all of which were
shipped between September and November of 1914. This specific pistol is listed as being in a shipment of 1,000 on 31 October 1914
through H.W. Brown of Quebec on p. 413 of “Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1” by Clawson. These Canadian contract pistols either
shipped through H.W. Brown or J. Wesley Allison of Waddington, New York. These pistols, like the Canadians who carried them, saw heavy action on the Western Front during The Great War, the Canadians themselves earning a reputation as “shock troops” among friends and foe alike. The slide bears the two-
line, two-block address and patent markings on the left with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right of the slide has the caliber markings. “VP” and “y” are on the left of the trigger guard. The Government Model marking is over the serial number on the right of the frame as well as an import marking partially
obscured by the grip. There are “crown/V” proofs on the left of the slide and frame and on the chamber hood of the barrel. The front strap has the rack number “4418.” Fitted with blade and round top notch rear sights, checkered wide hammer, checkered thumb safety and slide catch, the magazine catch, flat
smooth mainspring housing, and the long smooth trigger. The blued barrel has a polished chamber and is marked “J” on the left of the lug.
Fitted with a set of diamond pattern checkered grips and an unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the bright original commercial blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth
grey patina, primarily in the form of mild holster and handling type wear. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered light handling
marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
312 Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500