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LOT 3378
Very Scarce British Proofed
Imperial Russian Contract
Colt Government Model Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Factory
Letter - Serial no. C77533, 45 ACP cal.,
5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The included
factory letter lists this pistol in .45 caliber with a 5 inch barrel
and blue finish. The grips were not listed. The pistol was one of 2,000 guns of this type in a shipment to the Russian
Government on December 5, 1916, during World War I. Approximately 51,000 Colt Government Model semi-automatic
pistols ordered by the Imperial Russian government in 1916 and 1917 before the outbreak of the revolution and the
abdication of the Tsar. By 1916, the situation on the Eastern Front of World War I was dire for Russia, and national instability
brought both the February and October Revolutions of 1917 which led to both the fall of the Imperial government and the
eventual rise of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) which remained in control of that nation for most of the remainder
of the 20th century. Features fixed oval blade front and squared notch rear sights on top of the slide, the two-line, two-block address and patent dates
with a Rampant Colt roll-marked behind the serrations on the left side of the slide, the caliber designation roll-mark and a British “crown/BNP” proof on the
right side of the slide (likely from subsequent re-importation to Britain from Russia), a blued barrel marked “6” on the underside with British proofs on the
chamber hood, along with a long smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, checkered slide catch, checkered thumb safety, a short grip safety, and a smooth
mainspring housing with a lanyard loop at the base. The left side of the frame has the typical “ANGL. ZAKAZIE” (translated to: “English Order”) contract
marking found on Imperial Russian contract Government Model pistols, with the Imperial Russian government using Great Britain as an intermediary for the purchase and shipment of the
pistols, utilizing a line of credit backed by hard gold reserves held in Britain. The right side of the frame bears the model roll-mark and “C” prefix serial number along with another British “crown/
BNP” proof”, with “triangle/VP” and “8” factory proofs on the left side of the trigger guard. Fitted with a non-factory replacement pair of “double-diamond” checkered walnut grips and a two-tone
blued magazine without a lanyard loop on the base. Imperial Russian contract Colt Government Model pistols are very hard to find on collector’s market today in any condition, as they saw long,
hard use through multiple conflicts, and virtually none were ever exported out of the Soviet Union, making examples like this British proofed specimen a seldom seen and noteworthy addition to
any advanced Colt, Model 1911, or Russian themed collection.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 90% dull arsenal blue finish along with some mild cycling wear, some minor edge wear, some scattered minor pitting, scattered light handling marks,
and some softened but clear roll-marks. The reproduction grips are very fine with mostly crisp checkering. The magazine follower tab is bent and does not actuate the slide catch,
otherwise mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3379
Scarce Documented Royal Netherlands Indies Commission Shipped Colt Model 1903
Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pocket Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial no. 543985, 32
ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1940 with standard markings and features,
this pistol was one of approximately 6,800 purchased by the Royal Dutch Netherlands for arming their forces in the Dutch
East Indies (Indonesia). In 1942, Indonesia was invaded by the Japanese and Dutch
residents were placed in internment camps. Some four million people were killed as a
result of the Japanese invasion. After the war, Indonesians refused to allow the Dutch
to recolonize the islands and eventually won their independence after several years of
guerrilla warfare. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips
and barrel length not listed) as well as shipment to Royal Dutch Indies Ordnance in
New York on 29 October 1940 in a 200 gun shipment. Includes a collector’s Kraft style
box hand numbered to the gun, with manual and cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% of the original blue finish with some scattered
very light edge wear and handling marks. The grips are also excellent with some
light wear on towards the bottom of the right panel and otherwise crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with minimal wear.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750