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LOT 1273
Documented Colt Model 1905 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster and Factory Letter - Serial no. 1794,
45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. One of approximately 6,100 Model 1905 pistols
manufactured by Colt between 1905 and 1911, with this example manufactured in 1907, being the first pistols chambered for the now legendary .45 Colt Automatic
Pistol (ACP) cartridge. The included factory letter confirms the pistol’s configuration, including caliber, barrel length, finish, and type of stocks not listed, when sent in a
shipment of three pistols to Jensen King Bird Co. of Spokane, Washington, on May 13, 1907. Features fixed rounded blade front and notch rear sights, checkered round spur “stub” hammer with half-
cock notch, checkered slide catch, exposed extractor, and early brass firing pin. The slide bears the two block, two line patent information and Colt address, with “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” on the right side. With “VP” triangle and “1” sub-inspector proofs on the left of the trigger guard and serial number on the left of the frame. Fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips. Includes a leather flap holster marked “1305/45” on the back strap.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% original high polish blue and casehardened finishes with numerous scattered scrapes and dings focused on the left front of the frame and barrel, thinning and grey patina on the grip straps, minor pitting, and otherwise well-defined markings. The grips are very fine with minimal handling wear and otherwise crisp checkering. Holster is very good wit cracking on the flap fold.
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AS LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE GOVERNMENT MODELS BY GODDARD
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 1274
Very Fine 1914 Production World War I Era Colt
Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. C8432, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1914, early in production of the
commercial Government Model and right at the start of World War I. This pistol
represented the cutting edge of firearm technology and was highly sought after by military personnel and civilians alike, with many
being privately purchased for use during the war. This particular example exhibits the early production lustrous high polish blue finish. The slide on this pistol bears the two-line, two-block address and patent markings on the left side of the slide with the Rampant Colt
behind the serrations. The right of the slide has the caliber markings. “VP” and “R” are on the trigger guard, and “GOVERNMENT MODEL” is on the right
side of the frame with the early four-digit serial number below it. The unmarked, later production replacement barrel is blued. The slide release, thumb safety, and wide
hammer are checkered, and the smooth, flat mainspring housing has a lanyard loop at the bottom. It is fitted with a blade front and early production, rounded top notch rear sight as well as a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips. The two-toned magazine has a pinned base with a lanyard loop.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the original, high polish blue finish with some scattered minor scratches and dings, mostly on the left/upper left of the slide, and some light holster/handling wear. The grips are excellent with a few very light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1275
Documented Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-Automatic
Pistol Shipped to Captain Otho Vaughan Kean - Serial no. 33586, 38 Colt Auto cal., 6 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1909, these Military Model 1902s,
much like most of the early Colt automatics, represented the pinnacle of firearms technology
in their time and were the desire of both military men and civilians alike. A pistol such as this would have been particularly desirable for a recent West Point graduate such as Otho Vaughan Kean. This pistol is listed on p. 187 of “The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911”
by Goddard as having shipped to Kean (listed as a colonel) on 24 July 1911. Kean graduated West Point in 1905 before serving as associate professor of ordnance and gunnery there. He retired from the army as a captain in
1913 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line patent date and two-line address arranged in two blocks with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right side of
the slide has the two-line caliber marking. The left side of the frame has the serial number and “VP” and “W” on the left of the trigger guard. It is fitted with blade and rounded top notch sights, a lanyard swivel on the lower left
of the grip frame, checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts and “COLT” banners, and full blue magazine. Includes some copies of information regarding Captain Kean.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus of the original high polish blue finish, 80% of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer, and 70% of the original niter blue on small parts with some light handling/edge wear and some scattered light handling marks. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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