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LOT 1347
Desirable Early
World War II
1941 Production
U.S. Colt Model
1911A1 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 728820, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in 1941, the
Robert Sears inspected Colts marked the transition point from
Colt’s high polish blue to the parkerization treatment that would
become the standard for the rest of the war, with this example
having received the blue finish before the transition. Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service
Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1” lists this pistol in a shipment of 2,500 pistols on
30 April 1941, on p. 396. The left side of the matching numbered slide has the two-line, two-block, patent dates and address with the Rampant Colt between, and the right
side of the slide is correctly devoid of markings. The right side of the frame has the U.S. property marking, serial number, and model designation, with “60” on the trigger guard.
The left side of the frame has the boxed “R.S.” Robert Sears inspection mark, “P” proof, and
“T” over “VP” proof on the trigger guard. The top of the slide also has a “P” proof. The blued barrel is marked “COLT 45 AUTO” on the lower left, “P” on the left of the lug, and “G” on the bottom in front of the lug. Fitted with blade and notch sights, wide checkered hammer, short checkered trigger, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing with a lanyard loop, two full blue magazines with “COLT/.45 AUTO” on the bases,
and a correct pair of “hollow-back” non-reinforced checkered plastic grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% plus of the original blue
finish with some mild light edge/handling wear and some scattered light handling/takedown marks. The grips are
also very good with some scattered light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1348
Excellent World War II U.S. Ithaca Model 1911A1 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 1213762, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., parkerized finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in 1943, the left
side of the slide marked with the standard two-line Ithaca address, “M1911A1
U.S. ARMY” on the right, and “P” on top. The left of the frame as the “FJA” inspection
mark and “P” (double struck) below the magazine release, while the right side of the
frame has the U.S. property markings, serial number, and model designation, as well as
“3” on the trigger guard. The blued barrel is marked “HS” and “P” on the lug. Serrated slide release, thumb safety, and mainspring housing, narrow checkered hammer, long grip
safety, stamped trigger, checkered Keyes Fibre grips, and an “S” marked full blue magazine. A modern pistol case and pistol sleeve are also included. The Ithaca serial range of 120XXXX- 124XXXX includes 5000 pistols shipped to the OSS on January 11, 1944, per “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1920-1945” (page 117) by Meadows.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus original parkerized finish,
showing bright edge wear, a few areas of brown and gray
patina, light scratches on the left side of the frame and slide,
and mild handling marks overall. The grips are also excellent,
with a few minor dings on the otherwise crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1349
World War II U.S. Union Switch & Signal
Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. 1043914, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., Du-Lite finish, walnut 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 replacement full blue barrel is marked “COLT 45 AUTO” on the lower left. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, thin checkered hammer, short stamped trigger, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop, replacement checkered walnut grips, and an unmarked two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the original Dulite finish with some light edge/ handling wear and some scattered light
handling/takedown marks. The replacement
grips are very fine with a few scattered
light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1350
World War II U.S. Colt Model 1911A1 Semi-
Automatic Pistol with British Proofs - Serial
no. 1103811, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl.,
parkerized finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in
1943, during the height of World War II. The left side
of the slide is marked with the two-line/two-block address separated
by the Rampant Colt, “G.H.D.” inspected frame with “K/VP” proof,
matching “P” proofs on the frame and slide, and standard U.S. property
and army nomenclature on the right of the frame. British lend-lease style proofs are visible on the frame, slide and barrel. Fitted with blade and
notch sights, checkered slide catch, thumb safety, and wide hammer, long grip safety, and arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop. Fitted with an unmarked parkerized magazine, full blue barrel with “P” on
the lug and “COLT 45 AUTO” on the lower left, and reinforced checkered grips. CONDITION: Extremely fine, retains 90% plus of the slightly thin original parkerized finish with some light edge
wear and scattered light handling/ takedown marks. The grips are very fine with a few scattered minor blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,500
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