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LOT 341
Exceptional World War I U.S. Army Contract
Remington-UMC Model 1911 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 5118, 45 ACP cal., 5
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is an
exceptional example of a scarce WWI Remington-UMC, U.S. Army M1911
contract pistol. These pistols were manufactured by the Remington Arms-
U.M.C. Co., in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in late 1918, using their own set of manufacturing drawings. Almost all of these pistols
were disposed of after WWI because they did not conform to the standardization requirements for part interchangeability
with the Colt Model 1911 pistol. These pistols were manufactured in their own serial number block of “1 to 21,676”. The left
side of the slide is roll marked in two blocks with the standard Colt patent and address markings in the first block, followed by
“MANUFACTURED BY/REMINGTON ARMS UMC CO. INC./BRIDGEPORT. CONN.U.S.A.”, with the circled “REMINGTON/UMC” logo between
the two blocks. The right side of the slide has the two-line markings “MODEL OF 1911/U.S. ARMY CALIBER .45”. The left side of the frame extension is
stamped with “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” with the final U.S. Government inspector’s initials “E.E.C.”/”Eagle Head/E26” Ordnance inspection mark above the
magazine release button. The serial number “NO 5118” is stamped on the right side of the frame above the trigger. The barrel is stamped with a single “P” on top
of the chamber area with no other proofmarks. The rear of the slide above the firing pin stop is stamped with a single letter “E” provisional inspection mark and so
is the left side of the trigger guard bow. It is fitted with the correct early blued and checkered slide release lever and thumb safety with the flat mainspring housing.
This scarce early M1911 is complete with one early and correct all blue UMC magazine with the double pinned shorter base plate with no provisions for a lanyard loop.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 98% plus of the original blue finish on the correct replacement slide, 85% original blue on the frame with finish loss on the front grip strap with a minor spot
of flaking on the mainspring housing. The grips are also excellent with nice distinct checkering on both sides with some minor handling marks and a small pressure dent on the lower right side.
Mechanically excellent. An exceptional example of a very scarce and highly desirable U.S. Remington UMC M1911 semi-automatic pistol.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 342
Desirable 1912 Production U.S. Navy
Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. 7008, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, checkered walnut grips. Manufactured in 1912, bearing “MODEL
OF 1911. U.S. NAVY” (serifed) nomenclature on the right side of the correct period slide.
When Colt began production of the 1911, they originally provided different nomenclature
for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and would ship the pistols directly to the appropriate
facilities, though WWI would bring about the abandonment of all but the Army nomenclature
to speed up production, which would continue through the remainder of military 1911/1911A1 contract
deliveries. As the Navy marked 1911s were among some of the earliest 1911s received by the military, many were
heavily used to the point of virtual destruction, leaving surviving examples scarce in any condition. Blade front and
round-top notch rear sights, with the two-line, two-block Colt patents and address on the left side of the slide ahead
of the circled Rampant Colt, “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and “WGP” (Penfield) on the left side of the frame. Fitted with a
later production replacement smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, checkered slide stop and thumb
safety, flat mainspring housing with lanyard staple, checkered hardwood grips with diamond patterns around the screws
and a two-tone pinned-base magazine with a “keyhole” cut in the spine. The barrel is marked “5” ahead of the lug, and “H”
on the back of the chamber hood.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 70% original blue finish, showing a “burnished” gray patina on the top rear and forward portion
of slide with brown spotting on the grip straps, leading edges and underside of the frame, some dings and takedown lines
around the slide stop, bright edge wear and scattered spotting and handling marks overall. The grips are very fine, with some
dents and scuffs. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
Serial Number 7008
Second Year Production