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LOT 3316
World War II Era Colt Government Model National Match Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
C201884, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1941, this is a fine
example of a World War II-era commercial Colt Government Model National Match pistol that is fitted with
a Swartz safety device. Only about 4,813 National Match Government Models were manufactured between
1932 and 1941, making these pistols relatively rare on the collectors market. The left side of the matching numbered
slide has the two-line address/patent dates and the right side has the National Match and caliber marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left of the
trigger guard is marked “T/VP” and the right is marked “60”. The right side of the frame has the Government Model marking over the serial number. The barrel
is marked “COLT 45 AUTO MATCH” on the bottom left and a circled “M.B.” on the left of the lug with a polished chamber. It has the “improved model” features
including the short checkered trigger, wide checkered hammer, dished frame sides, and arched checkered mainspring housing. It is fitted with blade front and flat
top notch rear sights, fully checkered walnut grips, and a “COLT/45 AUTO” marked full blue magazine.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish with some light holster wear on some edges, mild handling wear on the front grip strap and mainspring
housing, and a light takedown mark. The grips are also fine with some mild wear at the bottoms and a few light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 3315
Outstanding Documented Pre-War Colt
Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with
Original Box and Factory Letter -
Serial no. C157422, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in
1929. Features fixed blade front and adjustable notch rear
sights, blued barrel with polished chamber hood and “K” on
the underside, checkered slide stop, thumb safety, short trigger,
and wide hammer, along with an arched checkered mainspring
housing. The left side of the slide has the standard two-line
address and patent dates, while the right has the Colt and caliber
markings followed by the Rampant Colt, along with matching
“157/422” serial number marked behind the firing pin stop. The
frame is marked with “1” and “triangle/VP” on the left of the trigger
guard, “51” on the right of the trigger guard, and with “GOVERNMENT
MODEL” and serial number on the right side. Fitted with a pair of
checkered walnut grips and two-toned magazine with pinned base. The included factory letter lists
March 22, 1929, as the specific date of manufacture and confirms the pistol’s current configuration
with a five inch barrel chambered for .45 caliber, blue finish, grips not listed, when sent in a
shipment of two to the Kelly-How-Thompson Company in Duluth, Minnesota, on July 13, 1929.
Includes the original matching serialized Colt factory box with manual and bore brush.
CONDITION: Excellent plus, retaining 99% original finish with some limited minor cycling wear
on the barrel, and a few small specks of oxidation visible on the left lower front of the slide but
otherwise limited handling evidence overall. The grips are also excellent with original oil finish and
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with some edge wear to the lid and
body. It would be difficult to improve on an inter-war Colt Government Model like this example!
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000