Page 267 - 4092-BOOK2-FLIPBOOK

Robert H. Solier (1909-1998) attended the U.S. Naval Academy in
Annapolis, Maryland, graduating with the class of 1933, before serving
aboard the battleship U.S.S. New York (BB-34) that same year, then the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Tuscaloosa (CA-37) until 1938, and destroyer U.S.S Tucker (DD-375) until 1939, before being assigned to Naval Proving Ground at Dahlgren, where he was stationed on December 7, 1941. By 1942, then Lt. Comdr. Solier was assigned to the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Augusta (CA-31), where he served as Assistant Plans Officer. Solier was on the commander’s staff of the Western Task
Force in June 1944 during the D-Day landings, where U.S.S. Augusta acted as Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk’s flagship with Lt. General Omar Bradley aboard, for which Solier earned a Bronze Star and the French Croix de Guerre. In August 1944, Lt. Comdr. Solier was transfered to the fast battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin (BB-64) where he served as Gunnery Officer for the remainder of the war. After World War II, Solier spent time as Naval Inspector of Ordnance in Rochester,
New York, before taking command of the destroyer U.S.S. James E. Kyes (DD-787) in 1950 just before the outbreak of the Korean War, during which Solier
was in command when the ship took part in landing the 1st Cavalry Division ashore at Pohang. After the Korean War, then Capt. Solier briefly served as the Commanding Officer of China Lake in 1953, during which time he inquired about the disposal of his Transitional Model. It is unknown who Solier sold the pistol to at the time, but it was very likely a fellow U.S. military officer given the provisions outlined in the correspondence. Solier later retired in 1960 on the Rear Admiral’s list.
Also included with the pistol is a 1946 hard cover U.S.S. Wisconsin calendar book embossed “UNITED STATES SHIP/WISCONSIN” on the cover and featuring pictures of the crew (including Solier in the center of the second photo on page 7), a hardcover U.S. Naval Academy year book for the class of 1933 dubbed “LUCKY BAG” with Solier’s section on page 267, and copies of research on Solier’s naval career. Transitional Model 1911/1911A1 pistols
are highly sought after by collectors to begin with given their scarcity, but few are as storied as this example,
which would undoubtedly be a highlight addition to any advanced U.S. military or Colt collection. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% plus original blue finish with minor edge wear, thinning focused near the slide serrations and mainspring housing, along with minor holster pattern wear, minor spotting and brown patina on the grip frame, and a takedown line on the frame. Grips are very fine with
a small scuff in the right panel and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Included artifacts are very fine. An exceptionally high condition example of a Transitional Model 1911/1911A1 considering its previous ownership by a storied U.S. naval officer.
Provenance: Rear Admiral Robert H. Solier; Michael P. Dolfi; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
265
INCLUDED IN LOT ARE THE BOOKS "UNITED STATES SHIP/WISCONSIN" AND "LUCKY BAG"