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LOT 1304
Exceptional World War I U.S. Colt Model
1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 287056, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. The included factory letter indicates this World
War I Colt Model 1911 pistol was shipped to the Commanding Officer
at Springfield Armory of Springfield, Massachusetts, on May 6, 1918,
as part of a 5,400 gun shipment. This was part of the last batch of
consecutively serialized Model 1911 pistols in the 283901-289300 serial
range sent to the U.S. Springfield Armory, with shipments afterwards not
being shipped in numerical order as a means of increasing the production
rate. Related shipment information is listed on page 385 of “Colt .45 Service
Pistols” (1991 publication) by Charles Clawson. Features fixed oval blade front
and notch rear sights, replacement blued barrel with only visible marking
being an “N” on bottom, 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 (which was changed from behind the slide serrations around serial number 278000),
along with model and U.S. Army nomenclature on the right side and “H” marked at the top of the
hammer recess. The left side of the frame bears the U.S. property marking and circled “JMG” (Lt. Col. J. M.
Gilbert) monogram inspection mark, with serial number on the right side. Fitted with a pair of diamond
pattern checkered walnut grips and two-tone magazine with a “B” maker mark on the lip.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85%
plus original blue finish with the grip straps
fading to a smooth brown patina, artificial
brown visible on the chamber area of the
replacement barrel, and sharp markings and
edges overall. Grips are also exceptionally
fine with a few minor nicks in the otherwise
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 1305
Identified World War
II USAAF 15Th Air
Force B-24 “Sassy
Lassy” A-2 Flight
Jacket - This World War
II USAAF A-2 flight jacket
was manufactured by
Aero Leather Clothing
Co., is a size 38, has a
Talon zipper, and was
worn by Technical
Sergeant Paul Spieler,
gunner aboard the
B-24 “Sassy Lassy”
of the 737th Bomb
Squadron, 454th Bomb
Group, 15th Air Force. On the left chest
are two leather name tags double stacked
and marked “P.S. SPIELER” and “ARM. GUN”
respectfully. The left sleeve carries painted 15th
AF insignia above a painted American flag. The
right chest displays a collection of painted bombs representing
42 missions. Additional included articles of clothing include
a long sleeve shirt with 15th AF patch and technical sergeant
rank and USAAF service dress coat with enlisted/technical
sergeant insignia, gunner wing, combat crew badge, and three
service ribbons (Air Medal with oak cluster, Good Conduct
Medal, and European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign with two stars). Spieler’s
personal affects: two garrison caps, sewing kit, tie, dog tags, gunner wing,
.50 caliber casing, two inert .50 caliber rounds, two green/white tip
frangible .30-06 cartridges, and a grouping of photos showing Spieler,
“Sassy Lassy,” and crew. The 454th Bomb Group was activated in 1943,
primarily saw combat in the Mediterranean Theater and drooped
over 13,000 tons of bombs on enemy targets such as marshalling
yards, oil refineries, and rail lines. “Sassy Lassy” was shot down in
July 1944. Paul Spieler (1922-2009) survived the war and returned
to his home state of Texas. For nearly 40 years he worked as a
switchboard operator.
CONDITION: The A-2 jacket is very good with supple leather,
typical wear and insect damage to cuffs and waist band, and
most of the paint remaining. The other articles of clothing are
good-very good. An identified USAAF A-2 that is a testament to
the fighting spirit of American aircrews.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000