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LOT 300
Colt Model
1905
Military
Semi-
Automatic
Pistol with
Factory Letter
and Holster -
Serial no. 1794,
45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue/
casehardened
finish, walnut
grips. One of
approximately
6,100 Model
1905 pistols
manufactured
by Colt between
1905 and 1911,
with this example
manufactured
in 1907, being
the first pistols
chambered for the now legendary .45 Colt
Automatic Pistol (ACP) cartridge. The included
factory letter confirms the pistol’s configuration,
including caliber, barrel length, finish, and type of stocks not listed, when sent in a shipment of three pistols to
Jensen King Bird Co. of Spokane, Washington, on May 13, 1907. Features fixed oval blade front and notch rear
sights, checkered round spur “stub” hammer with half-cock notch, checkered slide catch, exposed extractor,
and early brass firing pin. The slide bears the two block, two line patent information and Colt address, with
“AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” on the right side. With “VP” triangle and “1” sub-inspector
proofs on the left of the trigger guard and serial number on the left of the frame. Fitted with a pair of diamond
pattern checkered walnut grips. Includes a leather flap holster marked “1305/45” on the back strap.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% original high polish blue and casehardened finishes with numerous
scattered scrapes and dings focused on the left front of the frame and barrel, thinning and grey patina on the
grip straps, minor pitting, and otherwise well-defined markings. The grips are very fine with minimal handling
wear and otherwise crisp checkering. Holster is very good with cracking on the flap fold.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 298
Attractive
Documented El
Paso, Texas, Shipped
Factory Engraved and
Gold Plated Colt Model
1908 Vest Pocket Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Pearl Grips and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 134344, 25 ACP cal., 2 inch round bbl., gold
finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1916, this
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket pistol shows a few
attractive special order features. The included factory letter lists
the pistol in .25 caliber with a 2 inch barrel, gold finish, pearl grips, and
level 3 factory engraving when shipped on 23 March 1916 to the famous
Shelton-Payne Arms Co. in El Paso, Texas, in order number 961 as a two gun
shipment. This pistol has standard markings and is fitted with a pair of smooth pearl grips with Colt medallions. Also
includes a plain box labeled to match the gun. Shelton Payne Arms Co. was a well known Texas supplier of firearms,
ammunition, sporting goods, and leather goods, with famous clientèle such as General George S. Patton. The pistol
itself has the standard two-line address/patent dates on the left of the slide and the caliber marking on the right.
The serial number is marked on the left of the frame. The factory level 3 engraving consists of about 30% coverage
floral scroll and wavy line engraving. It is fitted with the standard blade and groove/notch sights, a pair of gold Colt
medallion pearl grips, and a correct gold plated magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the period replated, most likely factory, gold plating with a patch of spotting
on top of the slide, some mild high spot wear, and crisp engraving overall. The grips are fine with a moderate chip
absent from the right panel near the screw and otherwise only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
A very attractive, Texas shipped, factory engraved and gold plated, Colt Model 1908 vest pocket!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 299
Very Fine Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol
- Serial no. 36224, 38 ACP cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard
rubber grips. Manufactured in 1909. Features oval blade front
and rounded notch rear sights, early production mirror polish blue
finish, a casehardened and checkered spurred hammer which is consistently found
on pistols over serial number 33,000, the two-line, two block Colt patent dates and
address on the left of the slide and caliber designation on the right, checkered slide
stop, the serial number on the left of the frame, “triangle/VP” and “1” marked on the
left of the trigger guard, and a lanyard loop on the lower left side of the grip frame.
Fitted with a pair of Colt banner and circled Rampant Colt marked checkered hard
rubber grips and unmarked blued magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% bright original high-polish blue finish and 75%
plus case colors with some light edge wear, light thinning on the grip straps with
mostly brown patina, some scattered minor patches of visible spotting/freckling, and
scattered minor handling marks. The grips are excellent with crisp logos and defined
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 301
Very Fine Pre-World
War II Colt Ace Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
1651, 22 LR cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1931, this is an outstanding example of a pre-
World War II Colt Ace pistol. The two-line address and patent
dates on the left side of the slide followed by the Rampant
Colt just in front of the serrations, and the Colt Ace logo and caliber markings
on the right. The frame is marked “43” on the right side of the trigger guard, “W/
VP” on the left. It is fitted with a blade front and adjustable notch rear sights, short
checkered trigger, wide checkered hammer, checkered arched mainspring housing,
a set of fully checkered grips, and a two-tone
magazine with Colt Ace marked base.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of
the of the original blue finish with some mild
edge/holster wear and some minor handling
evidence on the front strap and mainspring
housing. The grips are also very fine with a
few scattered light blemishes in the otherwise
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000