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LOT 363
Extremely Rare U.S. Trials Colt
SSP Double Action Semi-Automatic .45 ACP Pistol
with Factory Letter - Serial no. GX9730, 45 ACP cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., stainless steel finish, checkered rosewood grips. First developed by Colt as the Model 1971, with approximately 30-50
being manufactured, this model would become the Stainless Steel Pistol (SSP) and was conceived as a way to get the jump on a future U.S. military handgun request. Before any formal requirements had been fielded, the company had managed to develop a solid read on the then-current trends in firearms,
particularly the rise of what would later be dubbed the “Wonder Nine”, the 9mm double-stack double-action semi-automatic pistol. While the knockdown force of the 45 ACP had (and still has) its adherents, the appeal of being able to standardize to the
9x19mm NATO cartridge and get a 13+ round magazine capacity in the process was rather broad. Colt’s read on the Wonder Nine was a radical departure from the 1911A1, completely changing much of the internal configuration and external appearance. The
slide is secured with a set of full length external frame rails, and the barrel via a link-free ramp assembly, while the hammer and mainspring are configured as a one-piece “en block” assembly that can be slid out of the frame for maintenance and repair. The SSP
had an additional feature, specifically that it was designed to be convertible between 9x19 NATO and 45 ACP with just a few parts. While this option was not part of the later XM9/XM10 trial requirements, the post-XM9 trials for a SOCOM-particular 45 handgun and
the recent American adoption of the caliber convertible Sig-Sauer M17/M18 to replace the Beretta M9 (which beat out the SSP and others at the XM9/XM10 trials) makes this seem like a nearly prescient move. Following the trials no commercial production was pursued,
and the SSPs made for the trials were either tested to death, given to VIPs as gifts, or disappeared into the American logistics system, and
few can be found today. This SSP is marked “COLT’S MODEL S S P/CALIBER 45 ACP” on the slide, with “45 ACP” on the chamber and the one line Colt address on the
right side of the frame over the “GX 9730” serial. Sights are blade front and square notch rear, with the rear dovetailed into place and the front mounted on a small
detachable panel at the front of the slide. Mechanical features include an ambidextrous pin-blocking safety, right handed slide catch and magazine release, smooth
trigger, serrated grip straps. Magazine absent. The included factory letter confirms it’s configuration and further states “that this firearm was kept by the company in
the Engineering Vault. Items from this collection were used by the company for test, experimental, research & development, and for other related purposes”.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% of the original matte stainless finish, showing some light scratches and scuffs. A thin but deep rectangular dent (possibly from a misaimed screwdriver) is present in the top of the right grip panel, with the grips otherwise being very good with only some light scratches and dings. The trigger occasionally fails to fully reset after discharge, otherwise the pistol is mechanically excellent. A rare chance to own a piece missing from many advanced Colt/U.S. military collections.
Provenance: The Colt Engineering Vault.
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
LOT 364
Scarce and Desirable U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1911A1 National
Match Trophy Semi-Automatic Pistol with Case and Extra Magazines - Serial
no. 922858, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Originally
manufactured by one of the U.S. contracted firms to produce the U.S. M1911A1
(Colt or Remington-Rand), this pistol was subsequently extensively reworked and
upgraded to National Match specifications by the U.S. Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois.
Unlike most arsenal M1911A1 NM pistols, this example was upgraded a step further
as a National Match Trophy pistol, finished with an attractive deep blue finish with high polish sides contrasted with matte along the dorsal and ventral lines as well as bright sides on the hammer. As a trophy pistol, it would have been awarded to a winning competitor in the matches as a more appealing prize than a standard static trophy. Features serrated Patridge blade front sight and “US” marked Elliason adjustable rear sight, “7267718/NM” marked barrel bushing,
“NM 7791414” marked barrel with only the “5” portion of “45 AUTO” on the top line remaining, along with “M P” and “C squared” on the recoil lugs, “RIA” and “NM” marked on the right of the frame and trigger guard, flared magazine well, checkered front strap, standard M1911A1 pattern controls, and the serial number “922858” marked on the interior on the slide and frame. The magazine is marked with a partial “858” in electro pencil. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips. Included with the pistol is a oiled walnut display case, with silver plaque marked “ ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL/NATIONAL MATCH/TROPHY PISTOL”, fit for the pistol and accessories with
blue felt, three extra magazines, extra springs, extra trigger, extra “7267718/NM” marked barrel bushing, extra trigger link, cleaning rod, and keys for the case.
CONDITION: Extremely fine as upgraded into a National Match trophy pistol by the U.S. Rock Island Arsenal, retaining 97% plus contrasting high polish and matte deep blue finish with limited minor edge wear and handling marks, along with light cycling wear. the grips are also excellent with crisp checkering and minor handling evidence on the right panel. The case is very fine. Mechanically excellent. National Match Trophy pistols such as this are hard to come across, and would traditionally require a winning score at the matches in order to posses.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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