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LOT 333
Very Scarce Documented Russian Contract Colt Government Model Semi- Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter and Holster - Serial
no. C42087, 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 copy of the factory letter confirms the current configuration, grips not listed, as well as
shipment to the government of Russia in a 5,500 gun shipment on 13 June 1916. 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 was the source of the typical marking on the left side of the frame, “ANGL. ZAKAZIE”(translated) for “English Order”, which as been removed on this example. 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. The
left side of the slide has the two-line, two-block address and patent dates. The right
of the slide has the caliber marking. The barrel is struck with two indecipherable markings on the bottom ahead of the lug and has a polished chamber hood. The left side of the frame has the contract marking removed as mentioned and “VP” and “b” on the trigger guard, with the model marking and serial number on the right. There is an 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. Includes a Swedish M1908 leather holster for a Browning M1907 pistol, faintly stamped with Swedish triple crown on the outside of the flap, that fits the gun nicely but the two attached magazine pouches are undersized.
CONDITION: Very good, retains traces of the period refinished blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a grey-brown patina, a few scattered patches of light pitting, and some scattered light handling/takedown marks. The grips are good with mild wear and some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fine with moderate wear.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
Tsar Nicholas II
SERIAL NUMBER 49
LOT 334
Highly Desirable Documented First Year Production Two-Digit Serial Number 49 Colt Model 1900 “Sight Safety” Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. 49, 38 Colt auto cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1900,
the first year of production for Colt’s first commercially available semi-automatic pistol. The left side of
the slide is marked with the standard two-line, two-block patent date and address, with the circled Rampant Colt at the rear. The right side of the matching numbered slide has the standard two-line caliber marking and
the serial number is marked on the left of the frame. The sight features the early pattern plunge-milled slide
serrations at the rear, seen on pistols only below approximately serial numbers 1400-1500. It is fitted with
blade front and notch rear sight safety in the original configuration, smooth walnut grips which were standard
until approximately serial number 2449, and a correct nickeled magazine with “Sept.9.1884” patent date on
the base. The included factory letter confirms the configuration as well as shipment to Montgomery Ward & Co. in Chicago on 7 June 1900.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% of the untouched original high polish blue finish with extensive mild oxidation/pitting scattered throughout. The grips are also fine with some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A totally original, rare first year production two-digit serial number Colt Model 1900 in “sight safety” configuration that is missing from many Colt auto collections!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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