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LOT 3316
Very Scarce Documented, Finnish Property Marked, Imperial Russian Contract Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. C66358, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. One of approximately 51,000 Colt Government
Model pistols ordered by the Imperial Russian government in 1916 and 1917, before the outbreak of revolution and abdication of the Tsar. By 1916, the situation
on the Eastern Front was already getting well out of hand for Russia, and 1917 saw both the February and October Revolutions, which brought about both the fall of the Imperial
government and the successor Provisional Government. This ultimately led to the rise of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), more commonly called the Soviet Union, which remained in control for most
of the remainder of the 20th century. Additionally, some reports of the final assassination of Tsar Nicholas II and his family include a pair of Colt .45 ACP pistols among the weapons used by the Bolshevik party. In particular, one
used by Yakov Yurovsky, leader of the squad, is noted as having fired the opening shot directly into the Tsar’s chest. The included factory letter confirms the pistols configuration, including caliber, barrel length, finish, and type of stocks not listed when included in a 6,000 pistol shipment sent to the government of Russia on November 16, 1916. When placing the order, the government of Great
Britain acted as an intermediary, using a line of credit established by the Russians and backed by hard gold reserves held in Britain to cover the bill. Britain’s role as go-between was the source of the typical “ANGL. ZAKAZIE” marking found on the left side of the frame,
which translates to “English Order”. Features fixed oval blade front and flat top notch rear sights on top of the slide marked with the two-line,
two-block address and patent dates, caliber marking on the right of the slide, barrel with polished chamber hood and “0/N” on the underside, long smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, and smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop. The left side of the frame has the English contract marking as mentioned along with a Finnish boxed “SA” property marking (most likely indicating capture during the Winter War of 1939), with “VP” and “y” on the trigger guard, along with the model marking and serial number on the right side. Fitted with diamond pattern checkered grips and an unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base. Includes a cardboard storage box. The Russian Contract Government Model Colt pistols are very scarce to find in the United States market today in any condition, as they saw hard, extended use through multiple conflicts (as illustrated by this example) and virtually none were ever exported out of the Soviet Union, making them a highlight addition to any advanced Colt or Russian themed collection.
CONDITION: Fine as arsenal refurbished, likely in Finland, retaining 85% blue finish with light holster-pattern edge wear on the slide and frame, along with a take-down line, minor scrapes and impact marks, limited minor spotting/ pitting, and some brown patina and thinning on the front grip strap and main spring housing. The grips are very good with mild compression wear and softened checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3318
Very Fine Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 11039, 38 Colt Auto cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1907, this Military Model of 1902 pistol exhibits the mid-production high polish blue finish and rounded hammer which was completely phased out around serial number 33000. 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, “AUTOMATIC COLT/ CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”.
LOT 3317
Excellent Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 44909, 38 Colt Auto cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber
grips. Manufactured in 1922, this pistol exhibits the late, “grey/blue” factory finish that was
implemented around serial number 36000. The included factory letter confirms the current
configuration, grips not listed, and shipment to Logan Gregg Hardware Co. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 23 October 1922. The left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address, followed by the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right side of the slide has the standard two-line caliber marking. The left of the frame is marked with the serial number, while the trigger guard is marked “1/VP” and “48” on the left and right respectively. It is fitted with blade and rounded top notch sights, a checkered spur hammer, and
a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with circled Rampant Colts and “COLT” at the tops. The full blue magazine has the correct Colt markings on the base.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the original blue finish and 97% of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer with a few scattered very light handling marks and some very light edge wear. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. It would be difficult to find a better example of a Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer pistol!
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
The left side of
the frame has the
serial number and “VP” and “1” 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 a correct early
production nickel plated magazine with the baseplate having the correct patent date marking.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a grey-brown patina, primarily in the form of mild holster and handling type wear. The grips are also fine, showing an attractively aged chocolate tone with a few light handling marks and flat spots, and well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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