Page 263 - 4092-BOOK3-FLIPBOOK

LOT 3356
Rare U.S. Marine Corps Contract
“Square” Frame Colt Model 1909
New Service Commercial
Double Action Revolver,
Serial Number “46” - Serial
no. 46, 45 Long Colt cal., 5 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. When the
U.S. Marine Corps purchased 1,300 Model 1909 New Services revolvers in the 23,101 to 26,300
serial number range from Colt through the Navy Department beginning in May 1909, Colt also made an
additional 50 extra frames to the Marine Corps pattern, possibly to replace intended losses or for individuals sales. These extra frames
feature rounded and narrower butts, absent Marine Corps service numbers, and a
“Square” mark proceeding the 1 through 50 number marked on the frame with this example
being number “46”. Dubbed U.S.M.C. “Square” Frame New Service revolvers by collectors, these extra frames were later built up by the factory into completed guns in the 1930s and sold off through normal commercial channels, as discussed on pages 70, 140, and 141 of “Colt’s New Service Revolver” by Mullin. Features fixed blade front and notch rear sights, the two-line Hartford address on top of the barrel with “COLT D.A. 45” on the left side, absent Marine service number on the bottom of the grip frame with retained “U.S./M.C./No”, and “Rampant Colt” backed by a stylized “C” on the side plate. The serial number “square 46” is marked inside the crane well of the frame, with the crane numbered to a revolver from 1911 manufacture. Fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips number “31” on the interior. Includes a web lanyard.
CONDITION: Fine as manufactured for the Marine Corps contract and subsequently built into a completed revolver by the factory decades later, retaining 60% plus original blue finish on the balance with smooth grey/ brown patina, freckling, minor spotting, minor pitting on the grip straps, a cylinder drag line, and light handling wear. The replacement grips are excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3357
World War I U.S.
Colt Model 1911
Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no.
133758, 45 ACP cal., 5
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in
1916, and included in a shipment of 1,014 pistols sent to the
U.S. Springfield Armory in Massachusetts, on September 30,
1916, as listed on page 517 of “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols
1894-1920” by Meadows. Features fixed oval blade front and notch rear sights,
blued barrel with “P” and “H” marked on top and “5” on the bottom, 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 slide bears 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 and “H” marked at the top of the hammer recess. The left
side of the frame has a U.S. property marking and light “GHS” inspection mark, with serial number on the right. Fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips and an unmarked two-tone magazine with pinned base.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 80% arsenal refurbished brushed blue finish with some brown patina and freckling showing through on the slide, bottom
of the frame, and grips straps, along with minor
spotting and edge wear. The grips are fine with
light compression marks and handling marks. The magazine is fine with light spotting and minor pitting. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3358
Excellent U.S. Colt
Model 1909 Army
Double Action Revolver
- Serial no. 44929, 45
Long Colt 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/44/929” behind it. Smooth two piece walnut grips with “R.A.C.” stamped on the bottoms.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% bright original high polish blue finish with mild thinning on the grip straps, handling marks, and edge wear. The grips are fine with scattered minor dings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
part of the first U.S. contract shipment. The revolver was
shipped on November 6, 1917 and delivered to the U.S. Army, Springfield Armory, Springfield,
Massachusetts, with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, early style
hammer, blue finish, butt swivel, and smooth walnut grips.
“UNITED STATES PROPERTY” marked on the underside of
the barrel, “GHS” inspected frame, and matching serial
numbers on the butt, right grip, cylinder, and barrel.
The U.S. Army received approximately 163,000 of these
revolvers found in the serial number range 1-169959. As
no. 145 this example is an extremely early production gun.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish with slight
scattered edge wear, slight thinning on the grip straps, and a cylinder drag
line. The hammer and trigger retain 98% original case colors. The restored grips are very fine with a couple splice repairs and a couple small filled blemishes, all near the bottom. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3359
Excellent Early World War
I First U.S. Contract Smith
& Wesson Model 1917
Army Double Action Revolver
Number 145 with Factory Letter - Serial no. 145, 45 ACP
cal., 5 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. The accompanying factory letter states that
this three digit serial no. 145 S&W Model 1917 revolver was
261