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LOT 3311
Exceptional World War I U.S. Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 158759, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1917 and shipped to Springfield Armory on 11 June 1917, well before the end of World War I. The left of the slide is marked with the two-line, two-block patent dates and address with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the right has the standard “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY” marking. The left of the frame has the U.S. property marking
and “GHS” inspection mark, and the serial number is on the right. The full blued barrel is marked “5” on the bottom in front of the lug and on the left side of the lug and “P/H” on the chamber hood. Fitted with blade and notch sights, wide checkered
hammer, long smooth trigger, short grip safety, diamond pattern checkered grips, and a later replacement “A” marked two-tone magazine with a flat base.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the original brushed blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on the grip straps and edges. The grips are excellent with a few scattered minor blemishes and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 3312
World War I Era British Shipped Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol in .455 Webley Auto - Serial
no. W40553, 455 Webley cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Approximately 10,500 Colt Government Model pistols were reportedly acquired by the British government between October of 1917 and April of 1919, with this
example being one of them. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line, two-block address and patent markings,
with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. It is a Colt Government Model marked with a set of crossed pennant and broad arrow military stamps on the
left of the frame, “crown/66/E/VP” and “U” markings on the left side of the trigger guard, “COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 455” on the right of the slide, along with the standard commercial markings and the special “W” prefix serial number on the right of the frame. The later replacement blued barrel has a polished chamber hood and
is marked “W” on the bottom in front of the lug and “2” on the back of the lug. It is fitted with fixed blade and notch sights, with a long smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, checkered grips, a two-tone magazine with “CAL. 455/ELEY” and a lanyard base, and the proper “shelf” for the .455 case rim in the chamber
hood of the barrel.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 75% of the original blue with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on the grip straps and high spots, and some
minor vise type marks on the slide. The mainspring housing is a refinished replacement. The grips are very good with some light handling marks scattered throughout, mild wear, and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
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matching “P” proofs on the frame and slide, and standard U.S. property and army nomenclature on the right of the frame. Fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slide catch, thumb safety, and wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, and arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop. Fitted with
a parkerized “R” marked magazine, full blue barrel with “COLT 45 AUTO” and “G” on the bottom and “P” on the lug, and hollow-back checkered grips.
CONDITION: Excellent plus, as issued, retains 99% of the original parkerized finish with some very light edge wear and some scattered light handling/takedown marks. The grips are also excellent plus with a few scattered light
handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Steven Preston Military Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 3313
Outstanding World War II U.S. Colt Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 753592, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in 1941, at the very beginning of U.S. involvement in World
War II, and just after Colt switched to a parkerized finish to expedite production. The left side of the matching number slide is marked with the two-line/two-block address separated by the Rampant Colt, “W.B.” inspected frame with “T/VP” proof,