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LOT 3469
Excellent U.S. Colt Model
1911 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Factory Letter
- Serial no. 124811, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured in 1915, this pistol shipped to Springfield Armory on 9 October 1915. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as the previously mentioned shipping information. 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 with “H/P”
on the chamber hood, “5” on the bottom in
front of the lug, and “J” on the left of the lug.
Fitted with blade and flat top notch sights,
wide checkered hammer, checkered slide release, long smooth trigger, short grip safety, diamond pattern checkered grips, and a two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% of the original blue finish with some very light wear on the front strap, mainspring housing, and some edges; some light speckling on the front strap, and a small patch of extremely light surface pitting on the left of the slide. The grips are very fine with
a few scattered very light handling marks and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An excellent representative World War I era U.S. Colt Model 1911 pistol!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3471
U.S. Springfield Model
1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Scarce ‘N.R.A.’ Sales
Markings - Serial no. 127859,
45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. Manufactured in 1914, this pistol was one of
25,748 total M1911’s produced by Springfield Armory, with
few of those marked N.R.A. This example was later released
to the public through the Civilian Marksmanship Program which supplied quality military style firearms to the American public primarily through National Rifle Association-affiliated shooting clubs. Such weapons would be stamped “N.R.A.” to prevent possible confusion by the authorities on how U.S.
Property-marked weaponry wound up in civilian hands. Fitted with integral blade front and flat-top notch
rear sights, the three-line patent dates and “SPRINGFIELD ARMORY/U.S.A.” on the left side of the slide, “flaming
bomb” proofs on the slide and frame, and “N.R.A.” on the right side of the frame below the serial number. The
U.S. property marking on the left of the frame is restamped and has evidence of cold blue touchup around it. Fitted with
a long smooth trigger, wide knurled hammer, short grip safety, flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, correct two-tone magazine with wrap around base, diamond pattern checkered grips, and a replacement later production blued barrel marked “P” on the left of the lug. Includes a modern Kraft style box with hand marked
label matching the gun.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish with the balance
having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, some minor tool/takedown
marks on the left of the frame, and a patch of cold blue touch up near the
restamped U.S. property marking. The grips are very fine with a couple minor
flat spots in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 4,750
LOT 3472
Excellent World War II U.S. General Motors Guide Lamp FP-45 Liberator
Single Shot Pistol - NSN, 45 ACP cal., 4 inch round bbl., matte gray phosphate
finish, metal grips. Conceived, developed, and manufactured in 1942, the “Flare
Pistol, 45 Caliber” (FP-45) was designed as a cheap and disposable single shot pistol
intended to be air dropped into German controlled Europe to give the citizens of
the occupied nations a way to express their displeasure to the occupiers, and hopefully retrieve a
better arm in the process. The Guide Lamp Division of General Motors was tasked to produce the
pistol, which was constructed from a collection of sheet metal stampings and cast zinc components
assembled around a smoothbore barrel. While inexperienced with arms production, Guide Lamp
stepped up and cranked out over a million of the deadly little contraptions in a matter of months. The
pistol is devoid of markings with two oiler holes on either side of the frame, along with a hollow grip
and sliding door at the bottom for ammunition storage.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 90% plus original matte grey phosphate finish with a few light areas of spotting on the barrel and frame, light edge wear on the trigger guard, and mild handling evidence. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
LOT 3473
Desirable Inscribed World War II Floyd
Nichols Fighting Knife with Sheath - 13 inches
in overall length, with a 7 1/2 inch blade fitted with a swept
point, curved spine, and a small patch of faded blue on the right ricasso. The iron guard has curled quillions and is marked “GEORGE H. WENZEL, JR. O-539562” on the left side, and the brass hilt has a ribbed and contoured grip section with a flattened pommel
marked “NICHOLS” over the polished
remnants of an inlaid “Indian head”
nickel. The brown leather sheath is maker
marked for “Alfred Cornish Omaha Neb” on the
belt loop and “GEORGE H. WENZEL, JR./ O-539562” on
the front. Available information shows a Lieutenant George
H. Wenzel Junior hailing from Florida but stationed at
Fort Knox in 1944, though exact records on his
service are sparse.
CONDITION: Fine, with the polished/sharpened blade
showing mild wear and a mixed gray patina, a well aged color on the hilt, traces of the original inlaid nickel, and mild wear and staining
on the very fine sheath.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3470
Exceptional World War II U.S. Union Switch & Signal Model
1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol Holster Rig - Serial no. 1091208, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., Dulite finish, plastic grips. In May of 1942 the U.S. government
initially placed an order with Union Switch & Signal Co. for 200,000 Model 1911A1 pistols,
an order which was later revised to 55,000 pistols. This pistol was likely manufactured early to mid- 1943. The slide is marked with the “USS” monogram and “U.S. & S. CO./
SWISSVALE, PA. U.S.A.” on the left side, with Robert Downie “R.C.D.”
inspection initials on the left of the frame, and standard U.S. government nomenclature on the right. The full blue barrel is marked “HS” and “P” on the lug. It is fitted
with blade and notch sights, thin checkered hammer, short stamped trigger, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop, correct Keyes Fibre checkered grips, and a blued “R” marked magazine. Includes a “US”“BOYT/42” leather holster, canvas belt, canvas magazine pouch, and lanyard.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% of the original Dulite blue finish with some thinning on the front strap, some light edge wear, and a light takedown mark. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster rig is excellent with some light storage wear.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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