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LOT 3530
Unique and Scarce Korean Copy of a Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol
- Serial no. 3130, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue
finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured by
an unknown party, likely during the Korean War era. Copies
of the American Model 1911A1 pistols were manufactured by
both sides of the Korean conflict, many of which were unique and
manufactured in very small numbers in rudimentary workshops. Some examples of
these pistols show quite crude craftsmanship, while others such as those attributed
as made by the Pusan Iron Works show reasonable quality. This example shows many
similarities with pistols attributed as made at the Pusan Iron Works, however it lacks the
markings typically seen on those examples. The right side of the frame on this example
is numbered “3130”, a discreet import mark on the left of the frame, and is devoid of any
other visible markings apart from the grips, which show an unidentified symbol towards
the middle and a series of what appear to be Chinese characters, indicating that this pistol
may have been manufactured for, or captured by, the communist North Korean forces.
While on the surface this pistol shows a fairly rough finish, appearing to have received very little polishing, its functionality appears very sound apart from the grip and thumb safeties, which are non-functioning. It is fitted with blade front and notch rear sights, serrated slide stop, checkered thumb safety, narrow checkered hammer, smooth arched mainspring housing with a lanyard loop on the butt, and a pair of checkered hard rubber grips marked as described above.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 20% of the original matte blue finish with visible rough machining marks visible throughout, typical of a small workshop gun. The grips are very good with some scattered light handling marks and otherwise mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically fine apart from the non-functioning safeties. A unique and rare Korean made copy of the legendary Model 1911A1!
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,500
LOT 3531
Documented Impressively Large Chinese “Warlord” Semi-
Automatic Pistol - NSN, 7.63 mm cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue finish,
horn grips. Likely manufactured in China in the first half of the 20th century,
a great deal of “cottage industry” sprung up to fill the demand for weapons created
by political disputes great and small; while the European and American manufacturers were very well represented, especially among the better funded military forces, the market was simply too large and too hungry for importers alone to fill the
need. This pistol is a straight blowback semi-automatic with
a slide that shows features of both the Mauser Broomhandle
as well as Beretta’s pocket pistols, with an open top to ensure
clean ejection, a semi-functional tangent rear sight (mobile
and spring loaded, but with no elevation piece and gibberish
numbers on the graduation lines), and rear grasping grooves
in imitation of the Mauser’s bolt, with the barrel and front sight
shaped to look like the Mauser. A metal collar secured to the
frame with two screws attaches the barrel to the frame, with
further gibberish on the slide and frame, small ring hammer,
back strap slot for a stock (not included), and a set of grooved
and serrated horn grips. Magazine not included. This specific
pistol is pictured and discussed on pages 115, 128 and 129 of
the book “Pistols of the Warlords: 1911-1949” by Ian McCollum.
CONDITION: Very good, with traces of original blue finish in the
protected areas, chiefly showing a mixed brown and gray patina with
scattered shallow pitting and light handling marks. The grips are
good, with cracking and chipping.
Mechanically very good.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3532
Documented Unique Chinese “Warlord”
Copy of the Mauser Model 1912/14
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 7135, 30
Auto cal., 4 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish,
hardwood grips. Manufactured in China in the 20th century, one of a number of handguns made in small shops to fill the large demand for weapons created by the many political conflicts
of the time. This particular pistol draws very heavy inspiration from the Mauser Model 1914 pocket pistol, scaled up to a full sized service pistol, with an overall length of 7 3/4 inches and height of 6 inches. Blade front and notch rear sights, with a matching number “7135” on multiple parts, and gibberish markings on the left side and rear of the slide. Fitted with a set of smooth hardwood grips and a lanyard staple. This pistol can be seen on pages 506 and 507 of “Pistols of the Warlords: 1911-1949” by Ian McCollum.
CONDITION: Very good, with a mixed brown and gray
patina overall, traces of original blue finish in the protected
areas, mild spotting, and light edge wear and handling
marks. The grips are good, with cracks in the left panel and chipping around the screws in the right. The included magazine is undersized for the pistol, otherwise mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3533
Scarce Documented “Hunan” Marked Chinese Bolo Broomhandle Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
50500, 7.63 mm Mauser auto cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured in China and later imported by Century Arms, this is a copy of the original Mauser “Bolo” variant Broomhandle Pistol. In terms of construction, the Hunan is a faithful emulation of both
the form and function of the German original, preserving both the external lines and the internal function, clearly showing professional attention to the relevant details. Blade front and tangent rear sight graduated to “1000”, with faux German proofs on the chamber and bolt, “MADE/IN/LKLTA” on top of the chamber, “NS” on the small ring hammer,
and “R.M.M.W.O. ELTHLINE/HUNAN” on the right. Matching numbers are present on multiple parts, and a pair of serrated grip panels are installed. This pistol can be seen on pages 244, 246, 247 and 255 of “Pistols of the Warlords: 1911-1949” by Ian McCollum.
CONDITION: Good, with 30% of the faded original blue finish,
with most of the surface having turned a mixed brown patina
with scattered shallow pitting, mild wear and light handling marks. The grips are fair, with chipping around the edges and a pin driven through the left panel. Mechanically very good.
Estimate: 2,000 - 4,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK PISTOLS OF THE WARLORDS BY MCCOLLUM
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK PISTOLS OF THE WARLORDS BY MCCOLLUM
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK PISTOLS OF THE WARLORDS BY MCCOLLUM
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