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LOT 3467
Rare Documented Russian Contract Colt Government
Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. C82627, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Originally ordered in 1916 and 1917, the Russian Contract Colt Government Model pistols were ordered by the
Imperial Russian government from Colt. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to the government of Russia on 30 December 1916 in a shipment of 1,000 guns.
When placing the order, the government of Great Britain acted as an intermediary, using a line of credit established by the Russians and backed by hard gold reserves held in Britain to cover the bill. Britain’s role as go-between is the source of the
signature marking on the left side of the frame, “ANGL. ZAKAZIE”(transliterated) for “English Order”. The Russian Contract pistols as-issued otherwise bore only standard Colt markings like this example. By 1916, the situation on the Eastern Front was already getting well out of hand for Russia, and in 1917 they went through the February and October Revolutions, which brought about both the fall of the Imperial
government and the successor Provisional Government, which led to the rise of the Soviet Union. Additionally, some reports of the final assassination of Tsar Nicholas II and his family put a pair of Colt .45 ACP pistols among the weapons used by the Bolshevik party, in particular one used by Yakov Yurovsky, leader of the squad who is noted as having fired the opening shot directly into the Tsar’s chest. Russian Contract
Government Model Colts are scarce on the American market in any condition, as they saw hard use through multiple conflicts and virtually none were ever exported by the Soviet Union, making an excellent example like this one a true rarity. The left side of the slide has the two- line, two-block address and patent dates with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations, these markings have some flaws and breaks due to a
worn roll stamp. The right of the slide is marked with the caliber marking. The barrel is marked “ZZ” on the right of the lug and has a polished
chamber hood. The left side of the frame is marked with the aforementioned contract marking and “VP” and “b” on the trigger
guard, with the model marking and serial number on the right. There is a “SIMPSON LTD G’BURG.IL” import mark visible on the bottom left of the magazine well. It is fitted with the standard blade and notch sights, long smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, smooth mainspring housing, diamond pattern checkered grips, lanyard loop, and an unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina and some scattered patches of mild pitting/oxidation, typical of these Russian contract pistols. The grips are very fine with some mild wear, scattered minor handling marks and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 3468
Exceptional
World War
I U.S. Colt
Model
1911 Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Holster and Accessories - Serial no. 169273, 45 ACP cal.,
5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1917 and included in
a shipment of 600 pistols sent to Springfield Armory on July 24, 1917, well before
the end of World War I. The left of the slide is marked with the two-line, two-block
patent dates and address with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the
right has the standard “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY” marking. The left of the frame
has the U.S. property marking and “GHS” inspection mark, and the serial number is
on the right. The full blued barrel is marked “H” and “P” on top of the chamber. Fitted with fixed blade and notch sights, wide checkered hammer, long smooth trigger, short grip safety, diamond pattern checkered walnut grips, and an unmarked two pin blued magazine. Includes a “U.S.” and “WARREN LEATHER/GOODS Co./1918” marked leather holster with leather lanyard, “U.S.” and “WITTNAUER” marked nickel finished pocket compass, hardwood display stand, a July 1990 issue of “Visier” magazine, an article copy from “Automatic Magazine” which discusses the pistol, and the collector’s notes. CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 95% plus original blue finish with light scattered handling marks, slight fading on the backstrap, and faint spotting on the grip straps. The grips are also excellent with light handling marks and crisp checkering. The holster is very good with slight cracking and otherwise supple leather. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Klaus Meyer Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
FEATURED IN "VISIER" FROM JULY 1990
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