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LOT 1291
Excellent and Very Scarce 1939 Production U.S. Navy Shipped Colt Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol
- Serial no. 713804, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1939, this 1911 pistol
was shipped to the Officer in Charge, Naval Supply Depot in Sewalls Point, Virginia, on November 16th, 1939, in
a 520 gun shipment. 3,636 total M1911A1 pistols were shipped to the U.S. Navy in the year 1939. This shipping
information is noted on page 396 of the book “Colt .45 Service Pistols” (1991 publication) by Charles W. Clawson,
indicating this batch of 520 Navy shipped guns was in the 713646-714165 serial range. The left of the matching
serialized slide has the two-line, two-block patent dates and address separated by the Rampant Colt and a “P”
proof on top. The full blued barrel is marked “COLT 45 AUTO” on the left with “P” on the left of the lug and “G” on
the bottom. The left of the frame is marked “P”, while the right
has the standard “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and “M1911A1
U.S. ARMY” nomenclature along with the serial number. Fitted
with blade and notch sights, short milled trigger, long grip
safety, arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard
loop, checkered walnut grips, and an unmarked
two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% original blue finish with
some minor finish loss visible on the trigger, a few minor
handling marks and some very minor surface freckling on
the grip safety. Grips are also excellent with exceptionally
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This excellent 1939
production U.S. Navy shipped Colt Model 1911A1 pistol would
make a fine addition to any high end Colt pistol collection!
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
According to "Colt .45 Service
Pistols" by Clawson, in 1939, only
3,636 Colt 1911A1 pistols were
shipped to the U.S. Navy.
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