Page 294 - Demo

LOT 427
Outstanding Documented Brigadier General Louis Cotulla’s U.S. Property Marked World War II Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Double
Issued Officer’s Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. M136990, 380 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1943 with
standard markings as well as the rare and desirable “U.S. PROPERTY” marking on the right side of the frame. It
is fitted with blade front and flat top notch rear sights, and checkered grips with Colt medallions. This pistol, unlike
most general officer issued Model 1908 pistols, was issued to two different generals. It is listed on p. 160 of “The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols” by Brunner as having first been issued to Major General William Samuel Rumbough,
who was the chief signal officer in the European theater of operations from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. It was also issued to Brigadier General Louis Edward Cotulla, who died of disease while in service in 1979. Includes a collector’s style Kraft box and a cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original brushed blue finish with a few scattered light handling marks and very minimal wear. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is near new with minimal wear.
Estimate: 8,500 - 11,000
LOT 428
Rare and Highly Desirable USAF Smith & Wesson M13 Aircrewman Double Action Revolver - Serial no. C259829, 38
S&W special cal., 2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/anodized finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1953. This revolver was produced on government contract for the U.S. Air Force, who designated it the Model 13 Aircrewmen and requested the revolvers be stamped “M13”. They were intended for use by strategic bomber crews for use as survival weapons. Weight conscience, they were originally
produced with a lightweight alloy frame and cylinder with a steel barrel. The model was rejected because of problems with the alloy cylinder with most destroyed by the government or S&W, making surviving examples rare and highly desirable. The top strap is marked “REVOLVER, LIGHTWEIGHT, M13”. Back strap marked
“PROPERTY OF U.S. AIR FORCE”. The left side of the frame has a “P” proof mark. Serial number “C259829” is on the butt
of the frame. The barrel is un-numbered. The six-shot alloy cylinder, extractor and right grip panel are numbered to different
guns. The checkered grips have S&W medallions, the left panel has a large “21” stamped towards
the butt, and the right is numbered “259338” on the interior. This revolver falls within the accepted Aircrewman serial range of C247000-C405363 (“The Standard Catalogue of Smith &
Wesson” by Supica and Nahas, pg. 147).
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% plus original combination
blue/anodized finish with minor handling marks, some
scattered edge wear and cylinder drag line. 50% of the original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The replacement grips are
also very fine with some scattered minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
LOT 429
Rare Unopened U.S. Navy Atlantic Escape and Evasion “Barter Kit” - Designed for and issued to American pilots possibly as early as World War II, but more likely during the Cold War era, for use in the event they were downed behind enemy lines, or otherwise found themselves in hostile territory. On average the kits contained approximately .90 Troy ounces of fine gold in the form of coins and rings, and were issued sealed. Due to the value of the individual kits, each kit was serial numbered and had to be signed out and signed back in with all contents accounted for if the kit was opened in the course of duty. This particular kit is the Atlantic variation (kits were made for both the European and Pacific theaters), which would traditionally contain a British 1 Pound gold Sovereign, two British gold half Sovereigns, a 10 Franc coin, a 20 Franc coin, and three golden rings. The case itself is hard rubber and marked “IF FOUND RETURN TO/COMNAVAIRLANT (CNAL 34)/NORFOLK, VIRGINIA” on both sides and the individual serial number “2118” is visible on one side. The writer’s belief that these are Cold War artifacts is due to “NAV” not being added to the “COMNAVAIRLANT” title until the 1950’s, prior to then it was simply referred to as “COMAIRLANT”, or Commander, Air Force Atlantic. Includes copies of multiple documents pertaining to the original sale of these kits by the Defense Logistics Agency as well as two photos of the contents of a
similar kit which had been opened.
CONDITION: Very fine as factory sealed showing some light wear on the exterior of the case. The seal has not been broken to confirm contents.
SERIAL NUMBER M136990
292 Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500