Page 253 - 4092-BOOK3-FLIPBOOK

LOT 3331
Exceptional Documented First Year Production U.S. Army Contract Colt Model
1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. 14683, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in
1912, the first official year of production for the U.S. military contract Colt Model 1911 pistols.
The included factory letter confirms the pistol’s configuration of .45 caliber chambering, blue finish,
and type of stocks not listed, when included in a shipment of 500 pistols sent to the Benicia Arsenal
at Army Point, California, on November 23, 1912. The serial number has the early “No” (“o” with
underline) prefix which began with serial number 4501. The left side of the frame has the U.S. property
marking and “WGP” inspection mark. The slide has the two-line, two-block patent dates and address on
the left with the circled “rampant colt” behind the slide serrations, along with model and U.S. Army nomenclature on the right.
The blued barrel is marked “5” on the bottom and “H” on the rear edge of the chamber hood. Features a blade front and the
correct early round-top notch rear sight, which was phased out in 1913. Fitted with niter blue long smooth trigger, checkered
slide release and thumb safety, short grip safety, wide checkered hammer, and a smooth straight mainspring housing with a
lanyard loop on the base. The grips are diamond pattern checkered walnut and the two-tone “keyhole” relief cut magazine has a lanyard loop on the pinned base.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% plus original high polish blue finish with minor edge wear, limited minor spotting, and some brown patina breaking through on the grip straps and front of the trigger, but otherwise fairly minimal handling evidence for an issued first year production M1911 pistol. The grips are also extremely fine with some minor handling evidence and crisp diamond checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 3332
World War II U.S. Union Switch & Signal Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 1055180, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., Dulite finish, plastic 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 full-blue barrel is marked “HS” and “P” on the lug. 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 “L” marked full-blue magazine.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the original Dulite finish with some light handling wear on the from strap and mainspring housing, and some scattered light handling/takedown
marks. The grips are very fine with a few minor blemishes/flat spots in the
otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
251