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LOT 1298
Excellent World War II Lend-Lease,
British Proofed, U.S. Colt Model
1903 Pocket Hammerless Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 563768,
32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., parkerized/blue finish,
walnut grips. Manufactured in 1942, this specific pistol falls
within the 558,571 to 565,791 serial number range of 2,000 “U.S.
PROPERTY” marked Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistols
in .32 ACP sent to Britain on December 4, 1944, making it one of some 4,682
parkerized examples sent over throughout World War II as a part of the Lend-Lease
Act, discussed on pages 98-99 of “The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols” by
Brunner. Features ramped oval blade front and squared notch rear sights on top of
the slide, with the two-line Colt address and patent dates roll-marked on the left side
of the slide along with a Rampant Colt behind the serrations, the two-line caliber roll-
mark on the right of the slide, a matching serial number
stamped on the underside of the slide, a blued “COLT 32
AUTO” stamped barrel with British Birmingham Nitro proofs
on the polished chamber hood, the U.S. property marking
and additional British Birmingham proofs on the right of
the frame, along with the serial number and U.S. “ordnance
wheel” acceptance stamp on the left side of the frame. The
left of the trigger guard is stamped with “triangle/VP” and
“X” Colt factory proofs, along with “44” on the right side.
Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with silver Colt medallions and a full-blued magazine. Includes
a reproduction Kraft pattern shipping box with a partially visible matching serial number written on the
underside in pencil, a cleaning rod, and a one-page instruction sheet.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original parkerized with minor cycling wear on the barrel, a few
scattered spots of edge wear, some limited specks of freckling/spotting, dried grease, some scattered minor
handling marks, a few faint scratches, and overall crisp roll-marks and stamps. The grips are also excellent
with a few minor nicks and compression marks in the otherwise mostly crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1296
Desirable and Very Scarce World
War II U.S. Colt Commercial/
Military Transferred Model
1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. 866196, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized/blue finish,
plastic grips. Manufactured c. 1943 as one of a recorded total of 6,575
Colt commercially marked Government Model pistols (in the C208,033
to C216,266 serial number range) transferred to military sales in order to
fulfill U.S. Government contracts, as discussed on page 48 of “U.S. Military Automatic
Pistols 1920-1945” by Edward Meadows. These transferred pistols were subsequently
re-marked, with the Government Model roll-marks and “C” prefix serial numbers on the
right side of the frames removed and replaced with standard U.S. property markings and
serial numbers in the approximate 860,000 to 866,000 range, with this example being
numbered 196 off of the latter. Features fixed blade front and notch rear sights, a blued barrel
marked “COLT 45 AUTO” on the left of the chamber with “P” on the recoil lug, the commercial
pattern two-line, one-block Colt address and patent dates on
the left of the slide along with the two-line caliber designation
and Rampant Colt on the right of the slide, a “P” proof on top of
the slide, a matching “866/196” serial number under the firing
pin stop, along with a checkered slide catch, thumb safety, wide
spur hammer, and arched mainspring housing. The frame bears a
“G.H.D.” (Guy H. Drewry) inspector stamp and “P” proof on the left
side, along with the model designation, U.S. property marking
and serial number on the right, with “M” over “triangle/VP” on
the left of the trigger guard and “69” on the right. Fitted with a pair of reinforced brown checkered plastic grips and a
full-blued magazine marked “R” on the toe. Includes a generic hard case.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% plus faded factory refurbished (for military issue) parkerized and 70% plus
original blue finishes with some scattered minor edge wear, light cycling wear, visible tooling marks on the right
of the frame under the U.S. property marking and serial number where the original commercial markings were
removed, some patches of minor thinning with some grey and brown patinas, a few scattered minor patches of
freckling, and light handling wear. The grips are also very fine with some minor handling marks in the otherwise crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
LOT 1295
Very Scarce Early
Production U.S. Marine
Corps Colt Model 1905
Double Action Revolver Serial
Number 14 - Serial no. 14, 38
Long Colt cal., 6 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. This is one
of only 926 of these Colt Model 1905 revolvers reportedly
manufactured, with 800 reportedly purchased by the U.S. Marine
Corps between 1905 and 1909, per page 344 of “The Book of Colt
Firearms” (1971) by Wilson and Sutherland. Many of these revolvers
saw use with Marines in Panama as well as the Cuban landings. The
butt is marked with “U.S./M.C.” behind the lanyard swivel and “No/14” ahead of it. The
number “14” is repeated on the inside of the frame, crane and cylinder latch, as well
as handwritten on the interiors of the checkered walnut grips. Cylinder marked with
assembly number “438” on the rear. The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford
address above patent dates, with “COLT. D.A. 38” on the left side. A circled Rampant
Colt is stamped on the left rear of the frame above the grip. Small star surrounding “W” inspection marks are located
on the bottom of the barrel and rear of the cylinder.
CONDITION: Fine as Marine Corps issued, retains 50% original high polish blue finish with scattered edge wear
showing characteristic smooth gray and brown patina on the exposed surfaces indicative of exposure to jungle
climate. Grips are very good with moderate wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,250 - 5,500
LOT 1297
Pre-World War II U.S.
Springfield Armory
Shipped Colt Service
Model Ace Semi-
Automatic Pistol with
Factory Letter - Serial no. SM1033, 22 LR
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1939, the included factory letter
confirms this pistol’s configuration, including
a five inch barrel chambered for .22 caliber,
blue finish, and grips not listed, when sent in a
shipment of 164 pistols to the U.S. Springfield
Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March
13, 1939. Features fixed ramped blade front and
adjustable notch rear sights, the two-line Colt
address and patent dates followed by a Rampant
Colt roll-marked on the left side of the slide, the
legend and caliber designation roll-marked on
the right side of the slide, matching “10/33” serial
number behind the firing pin stop, along with
checkered short milled trigger, slide catch, thumb
safety, wide spur hammer, and arched mainspring
housing without a lanyard loop. The right side of the frame bears the “S M” prefix serial number, with Colt “P”
and “triangle/VP” factory proofs on the left side of the trigger guard and “60” on the right side. Fitted with a
pair of checkered walnut grips and a two-tone blued magazine with “SERVICE MODEL” markings on the base.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% plus original blue finish with some scattered light edge wear, light
cycling wear, brown patina on the front grip strap, some scattered minor patches of spotting/freckling, light
handling wear, and clear roll marks. The grips are exceptionally fine with some minor compression wear in
the otherwise mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500