Page 311 - 4093-BOOK1

309
LOT 318
Documented Pentagon Shipped World War II U.S. Colt Model 1903 Pocket
Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter and Rare OSS Holster
- Serial no. 571273, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1945 with “U.S. PROPERTY” mark on the right side of the frame.
Introduced as a commercial pistol, the 1903 was adopted by the U.S. military after
proving a commercial success and became the standard sidearm for General Officers during World War
II and still issued into the 1970s. These pistols were also popular for arming intelligence officers and
OSS operatives due to their concealability, and these Pentagon shipped pistols are often associated
with such issue. Though this pistol’s final destination and issue is unknown, it falls within the known
serial number range of 604 pistols issued to the Military Intelligence Service (G-2) on p. 406 of “U.S.
Military Automatic Pistols Vol. II (1920-1945)” by Meadows. This pistol’s serial number falls right between
two known General Officer issued pistols listed on p. 154 of “The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic
Pistols” by Brunner, serial number 571272 issued to brigadier general Ronald R. Woodin and serial
number 571274 issued to general William W. Lapsley. The included factory letter lists shipment to
the Quartermaster Depot in Cameron, Virginia for the Property Officer at the Pentagon Building in
Washington, D.C. on 20 February 1945. Letter states the finish is blue, although the writer believes
this to be a factory clerical error, as the parkerized finish is original. Includes a Kraft style box hand
numbered to this gun on the end of the lid and a different gun on the bottom. The U.S. OSS type 1
holster is made of Russet leather with a reinforcing rivet towards the top and has an adjustable white
canvas chest strap. The holster comes in a correct cardboard box marked “HOLSTER, SHOULDER/CAL.
32&380 COLT/1095-141-9494.” These OSS holsters are discussed in Edward Meadows’ “U.S. Military
Holsters and Related Accoutrements on page 467 and in Dr. John Brunner’s “OSS Weapons II.”
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original parkerized finish with some very light edge/handling wear. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest
handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The boxes and holster are very fine with minimal handling/storage wear.
Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000
LOT 321
Two OSS “Spearhead”
Unit Patches and Two OSS
“Spearhead” Collar Insignia
- Originally designed in 1943,
the “gold spearhead on black
field” insignia was intended
by General William “Wild
Bill” Donovan to serve as the
primary identifier for the Office
of Strategic Services, America’s
premier “dirty tricks” outfit and
spiritual and literal forefather
to many parts of the modern American intelligence/clandestine warfare community. Jumping
the gun and ordering shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) and collar devices through a private contract
before the insignia was confirmed by higher command, Donovan was left holding the bag when
he was told “no” by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The SSI are believed to have been filed away at the
Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, where some appear to have been liberated by sticky-fingered
Depot staff before the entire lot was caught up in a post-WWII purge of obsolete insignia. Some of
the collar devices are believed to have made it overseas, where some were reported used by OSS
and SHAEF soldiers involved in psychological warfare operations in Great Britain. The largest patch
is fully embroidered, 2 1/4” wide and 3 1/4” long, and the smaller patch is gold bullion wire on a
felt square 3/4” wide and 1 1/4” long. Both pins are in “officer” style with black enamel fields around
the gilt brass spearheads, similar in dimensions to the small patch, one with a screw back marked
“ROBBINS & CO”, the other pin back (two pins, one retainer absent) with no markings.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, with mild wear and handling marks.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 319
Rare and Desirable World War II OSS Pattern Stiletto with “Spatula” Pattern Sheath - Made in the style of the Second
Pattern Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Knife, developed by the British and adopted by America, with reports of similar knives in
use with intelligence agencies well into the 1960’s. 11 5/8 inches overall with a 6 3/4 inch double edged spear point blade,
blackened steel flat oval guard, and a knurled and blackened brass hilt. The sheath is brown leather, installed in a green painted
metal “spatula” frame with a set of mounting slots in the wide tang, an enclosed tip, and a rubber o-ring retainer.
CONDITION: Excellent, with mild wear on the dagger overall, and traces of an old melted o-ring near the pommel. The sheath is
fine, with some bending/damage to the frame, replacement o-ring, and mild wear overall.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 320
Grouping of OSS/Airborne
Artifacts - Grouping includes:
1) Two sets of Chinese-made
jump wings, one in brass and
the other silver plated. 2)
“SPECIAL RECON BN.” rocker
patch, silver bullion on a black
felt backing. 3) Small enamel
“OSS” pin, red and white with
an “A.E. CO/UTICA” maker’s
mark. 4) Two cross of Lorraine
themed ornaments, one brass
pin and an alloy medallion
with the cross on one side
and General De Gaulle on the
reverse. 5) U.S. Airborne wing
patch, blue background with
white border. 6) Round patch,
with “GURKHAS” at the top
over a tiger head and a set of crossed kukris. 7) American flag arm bands, one cloth construction (trimmed down to just the
flag), the other printed on treated paper. Consignor statements attribute the OSS pin to a Frederick Bennett, and the Special
Recon rocker and Gurkha patch to a “Captain Rickerson”. Captain Rickerson is likely Roy Kirby Rickerson; born in 1918 and a
railroad man prior to his enlistment in 1941, Rickerson was a decorated OSS man in Europe prior to being sent to China, earning
the Silver Star for actions behind enemy lines in the lead up to the invasion of Southern France.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with staining and wear appropriate to age. The felt backing of the Special Recon rocker shows tears
and holes, with the bullion wire unaffected.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500