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LOT 1292
Extremely Rare, Incredibly Early Production Two-Digit Serial Number 15
U.S. Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Anniston Army Depot
Shipping Box - Serial no. 15, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized finish,
plastic grips. This is an extremely early production U.S. contract Colt Model
1911 pistol, bearing serial number 15, one of the earliest we have ever had
the pleasure of offering at here at Rock Island Auction Company, topped only
by serial number 14 in our September 2021 Premier Auction. Only the first 51
of these iconic pistols were produced in the year for which they are named,
making this example a “true” Model of 1911. The pistol is listed as “received”
at Colt on May 1, 1911, according to page 524 of “U.S. Military Automatic
Pistols 1894-1920” by Meadows. The pistol was also included in the very first
shipment of 50 pistols, serial numbers 1-50, shipped to the Commanding
Officer at Springfield Armory on January 4, 1912, as referenced on page 379
of “Colt .45 Service Pistols, Models of 1911 and 1911A1” (1991 publication)
by Charles Clawson. This shipment would have been packed in a wooden
crate containing all 50 pistols, and labeled with the serial numbers contained
inside, including this example, serial number 15. The pistol clearly had a long
and eventful service life, as it has been through an arsenal refurbishment
sometime in the post-World War II era, as evidenced by the “AA” Augusta
Arsenal stamp on the left of the frame. It is also accompanied by a DoD
shipping box that has a label on the lid listing this pistol by its serial number
“15” as shipped on July 13, 1988, from Anniston Army Depot of Alabama to
individual Ronald W. Davis of Lawton, Oklahoma, as purchased through the
NRA. It appears that Ronald W. Davis relocated to San Antonio, Texas, at some
point, as there is a label inside of the box listing his name with an address
there. The left side of the slide has the two-line, two-block patent dates and
address, with the address in a slightly larger font as seen on pistols only below
serial number 83. The left side of the frame has the large size “UNITED STATES
PROPERTY” marking, which was switched to a smaller font at serial number
100. The serial number is in the early “No.15” format and forward location on
the right of the frame. The right side of the slide is marked with the iconic
“MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The pistol shows late arsenal parkerized finish
overall. It
is fitted with
a fixed blade
front sight and
later type notch
rear sights, with
a number of later
arsenal updated
components, later
type checkered slide
stop and thumb safety, wide
checkered hammer, barrel bushing, short grip safety, smooth
flat mainspring housing with a lanyard loop, improved slotted
type magazine catch, a pair of checkered plastic grips with the left
grip panel a later type marked “5564063” on the interior and the right
grip panel a World War II era Keyes Fibre replacement, and a parkerized
magazine with hand carved initials “RWD” on the bottom, presumably of
Ronald W. Davis, the individual who later purchased this pistol. The only
visible markings on the barrel are an “S” and what appears to be a “P” on the
left of the barrel lug. Includes an extra later type magazine also with initials
“RWD” on bottom.
CONDITION: Very fine as arsenal refurbished, retains 98% parkerized finish
with some light wear and pitting visible beneath the finish, and defined
serial “No.15” marking. Replacement left grip is also very fine, right grip is fine
with numerous scattered nicks. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good,
with clearly legible label, mild wear and some torn edges on the lid. This is
a rare opportunity to acquire one of the earliest U.S. Colt Model 1911 semi-
automatic pistols we have ever cataloged, serial number 15. Do not miss this
unique opportunity to own an iconic incredibly early
production U.S. military 1911!
Provenance: U.S. Military; The Ronald W. Davis Collection;
Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 50,000 - 80,000
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