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LOT 3386
LOT 3388
Outstanding Identified U.S. Colt Model M
General Officer’s .32 ACP Pocket Hammerless
Semi-Automatic Pistol Issued to Brigadier
General C.W. O’Bryant with Holster and
Springfield Research Letter - Serial no. 568892,
32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1943, during the height of World War II, this Colt Model M General Officer’s pistol in .32 ACP is documented as issued
to Brigadier General C.W. O’Bryant on 9 November 1955. Further information regarding O’Bryant was unavailable at this time, however, the included Springfield Research Service letter indicates that O’Bryant’s service number was 0328896 as well as stating the record of issue was marked “DASD-LK”, which is believed to refer to the Department of the Army office in Washington D.C. The issue information for this pistol
is listed on p. 145 of “The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols” by Brunner. The left of the slide is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations and the standard caliber marking is on the right. The right side of the frame has the U.S. property marking and the serial number is on the left along with a faint “crossed cannons” ordnance proof, with a “VP” proof on the left of the trigger guard and “51” on the right. The pistol has standard features and is fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions. Includes a modern made “US” brown leather holster as well as a copy of a 1994 dated New York State pistol license
is marked as for John W. Pershing, who has previously been noted as
a descendant of general John J. Pershing, of World War I fame and a CD-R hand marked
with the pistol’s information, the contents of which are unknown.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% of the original parkerized finish with some very slight
edge wear and a few scattered light handling marks. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is excellent with only the slightest wear.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3389
World War II U.S. “W.B.” Inspected Colt Service Model Ace Semi- Automatic Pistol with Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. SM8712,
22 LR cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, plastic grips. Manufactured
in 1945, the included factory letter
with this desirable Colt Service Model
Ace pistol confirms the current
configuration, including the adjustable
rear sight, as well as shipment to the
U.S. government transportation officer
at the Army-Navy Consolidation Station
in New York for the Naval Supply Depot
in Oakland, California on 24 July 1945,
approximately one month before the
surrender of the Empire of Japan. The
left side of the slide is marked with the
standard two-line address and patent
dates, followed by the Rampant Colt, and the right side has the standard
Service Model Ace and caliber markings. The right side of the frame has the U.S. property
marking over the serial number and crossed cannons at the rear. The left side of the
frame has the remarked “G.H.D.” inspection mark. The barrel is marked “COLT/CAL 22 L.R.”
on the polished chamber. It is fitted with blade front and adjustable notch rear sights,
short stamped trigger, serrated arched mainspring housing, narrow checkered hammer, long grip safety, checkered reinforced grips, and a full blue magazine with Colt Service Model Ace markings on the base. Includes a period style modern replacement Kraft box hand numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 99% plus of the professionally restored parkerized finish with a few scattered light handling marks. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically functions fine, although the recoil spring is weak and grip safety functions intermittently. The box is very good with some mild wear and a moderate oil stain. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
226
Scarce U.S. Colt Transitional Model
1911/1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. 708517, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Starting in September
of 1920, the Ordnance Board began to make suggestions for
modifications to the Model 1911 pistol based on experience from
World War I, and by April of 1923 OCM Item 2890 was standardized
and recommended by the department. A pilot series of 10,000 pistols
was approved with some production issues arising throughout 1923,
but by January 1924 the first “Improved Models” were being delivered
and were also known as the Transitional Model 1911s. This example
was shipped on 25 July 1924 to Springfield Armory. While they retained
the nomenclature markings of the 1911, they were
equipped with the signature features of the 1911A1
which included the dished frame sides, shortened
trigger, elongated grip safety, and arched mainspring
housing. The left of the slide is marked with the
two-line, two-block patent dates and address
separated by the Rampant Colt, while the right has the “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” marking. The right of the frame has the U.S. property marking over the serial number while the left has the circled “WTG” monogram of Walter T. Gordon. The right of the trigger guard is marked “60”. The blued barrel is marked with a conjoined “HP” on the chamber hood. It is fitted with a checkered slide stop and thumb safety, short checkered trigger, arched checkered mainspring housing
with lanyard loop at the base, blade front and flat top notch rear sights, an “A” marked two-tone magazine, and a pair of correct fully checkered walnut grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% plus of the original brushed blue finish with some light edge wear showing a smooth brown patina on the leading edges of the slide and a few scattered light handling/takedown marks. The chamber hood of the barrel has been cold blued and the muzzle has some oxidation. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 3387
U.S. Colt Model 1909 Army Double
Action Revolver - Serial no. 46496, 45 ACP
cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Delivered between 28 May 1909 and
13 September 1911, the Model 1909 revolvers
were almost entirely shipped to the Philippines.
Blade front and notch rear sights with the two line
Hartford address and patent dates (1884, 1900, 1905)
on top of the barrel, “COLT D.A. 45” on the left side and “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the underside. The left side of the frame has the Rampant Colt trademark surrounded by a stylized “C”, with “R.A.C.” and “WGP” inspector markings on the right side. The butt is marked “U.S./ ARMY/MODEL/1909” ahead of the lanyard loop and “No/46/496” behind it. Smooth two piece walnut grips with “R.A.C.” stamped on
the bottoms.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 70% plus bright original high polish
blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, mixed gray on the frontstrap, mild spotting, bright edge wear and mild handling
marks. The grips are also very fine, with minor dings and scratches. The cylinder timing is a bit off, otherwise mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000