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LOT 336
U.S. Remington-Rand/Colt Model 1911A1 National
Match Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 956798, 45
ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut grips.
Originally produced by Remington-Rand in 1943, this
pistol was subsequently upgraded to National Match competition-grade specifications by Springfield Armory,
fitted with a Colt slide, and later refurbished by Rock Island Arsenal. The left of the slide has the standard National Match part
number markings, while the right has the Colt address. Features serrated Patridge blade front sight and adjustable Kensight rear
sight, “7267718/N M” bushing, full blued barrel marked “.45 AUTO/NM 7791414” and numbered to the gun on the chamber hood,
and an “FJA” (Lt. Col. Frank J. Atwood) inspected frame with “T”, double struck “NM”, and “RIA” on top of “SA” stamps. Equipped with a short serrated
adjustable trigger, serrated narrow hammer, checkered front strap, flat serrated mainspring housing with
lanyard loop, checkered walnut grips, and a full blue unmarked magazine.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as upgraded to National Match specifications by Springfield Armory and
subsequently refurbished by Rock Island Arsenal, retaining 95% plus arsenal re-applied parkerized finish
with some softened roll marks and a re-struck serial number on the frame, some limited edge e wear, minor
cycling wear, and otherwise limited minor handling marks. The walnut grips are excellent with crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 335
Outstanding Documented World War II Lend-Lease, British Proofed, U.S. Colt
Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter
- Serial no. 563566, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1942, this pistol falls within the 558,571 to 565,791 serial number range
of 2,000 “U.S. PROPERTY” marked Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistols in .32 ACP
sent to Britain on December 4, 1944, making it one of some 4,682 parkerized examples sent over throughout the war as
a part of the Lend-Lease Act discussed on pages 98-99 of “The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols” by Brunner. The
author notes that many of the late war shipped pistols were likely never used, declared surplus in the 1960s, and then British
proofed for subsequent sale back to the U.S. market, which may explain the high level of retained finish found on examples such
as this specimen. The serial number range of 483,450 to 566,503 is also listed on page 406 of “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols Vol. II (1920-1945)”
by Meadows as being sent to England for Lend-Lease support. Features fixed blade front and notch rear sights, blued barrel marked “COLT
32 AUTO” on the left side with polished chamber marked with British proofs, standard two-line address and patent dates with “rampant colt”
behind the serrations on the left side of the slide, with caliber marking on the right and matching serial number stamped on the interior. The
frame bears the “U.S. PROPERTY” marking on the right side with British proofs underneath, along with “57” on the trigger guard, with the serial
number and “ordnance wheel” acceptance proof on the left side, along with “triangle/VP” and “X” on that side of the trigger guard. Fitted with a
pair of checkered walnut grips with silver Colt medallions and full-blue magazine with “CAL.32/COLT” marked on the underside of the floor plate.
The included factory letter lists the pistol with a 3 3/4 inch barrel chambered for .32 caliber, blue finish (likely a factory error), and type of grips not listed when sold to
the United States Government, factory order No. 4711, and included in a shipment of 2,000 pistols sent to Port Transportation of the New York Port of Embarkation in
Brooklyn, New York, on December 4, 1944, the same shipment mentioned previously by Brunner.
CONDITION: Excellent plus, retaining 99% original parkerized finish with some limited edge wear, some minor spotting at the bottom of the frame and muzzle, some dried grease in
the finish, but otherwise limited minor handling marks. The grips are very fine as varnished with defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. It would be difficult to find a better original
parkerized example of a World War II British Lend-Lease U.S. Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer pistol than this!
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 334
Outstanding Post-World War I U.S. Colt Model 1911
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 625258, 45 ACP cal., 5
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in
1919. Features fixed oval blade front and notch rear sights,
blued barrel with joined “HP” marked on top, checkered
slide stop, thumb safety, magazine release, and wide spur hammer, short grip safety, smooth long trigger, and straight mainspring
housing with a lanyard loop on the base. The slide bears the two-line, two-block patent date and manufacturer address on the left
with “rampant colt” in the center, along with model and U.S. Army nomenclature on the right side. The left side of the frame bears an
“eagle head/S12” inspection mark, with U.S. property marking and serial number on the right side. Fitted with a pair of diamond pattern
checkered walnut grips and “A” marked two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% plus original dark blue finish with some minor cycling wear on the right of the slide, some limited edge wear, but otherwise
limited handling marks and rich blue finish. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. It would
be difficult to improve upon a 1919 manufactured U.S. Colt M1911 pistol such as this example!
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000