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LOT 438
Documented U.S. Army 101st Airborne
Division Issued SIG Sauer M17 Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Box - Serial no. TF003570,
9 mm para cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., coyote tan finish,
polymer grips. In January 2017 it was announced that SIG Sauer had won the highly competitive U.S. Military Modular Handgun System (MHS) contract to replace the Beretta M9 as the standard U.S. military sidearm, and later that year the U.S. Army announced the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions were to be the first units
to receive the M17. Offered here is one of the first pistols issued to the 101st Airborne Division for field testing. Only 3,000 of these pistols were returned to SIG Sauer for sale on the commercial market. The introduction of the M17 marked the beginning of the
end to the M9’s service with the U.S. Armed Forces that originated in the late 1980s when it replaced the Colt M1911A1. If the service life of the M1911A1 and M9 are any indication
to the longevity of the standard U.S. military handgun, it will be decades before we see a round of rigorous testing to replace the M17, making this early U.S. Army example issued to the famed 101st Airborne Division a historic piece of military hardware of the modern era that will only gain more collector interest in the future. The M17 is a variant of the SIG 320 modular pistol and integrates an ambidextrous thumb safety to the modular fire control unit, with illuminated night sights, optics mounting point on the slide, “+P” weight recoil spring, and coyote tan metal and polymer finish. The grip unit
is marked size “M” and displays a rack number “22” on the back strap texturing. The shipping box is a numbered match to the pistol and identifies it as “UDM17-9-SURPLUS” and contains two extra magazines, a standard weight recoil spring, cable lock, and papers. Per the included certificate, this pistol was part of the initial deployment of the U.S. M17 MHS Pistol in American service. An included Freedom of Information Act letter states this pistol was shipped from SIG Sauer to the Army General Supply and from there to Fort Campbell where it was issued to B Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Formed in 1918, the 101st Airborne Division has established a long and historic legacy that has made it one of the U.S. Army’s premier units. Its “Screaming Eagle” insignia is instantly recognizable by friend and foe alike. The 101st is renowned for its WWII airborne operations role
leading up to the Allied assault at the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, and during Operation Market Garden and action taken during the Battle of the Bulge. During the Vietnam War the 101st participated in 12 campaigns and fought in major battles such as the Battle of Hamburger Hill and the Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord, the last major confrontation between U.S. ground forces and the PAVN. Over the last 20 years, the 101st was actively involved in American operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. Headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the 101st remains one of the U.S. Army’s leading land combat forces.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original coyote tan finish with some scattered handling marks from use with the 101st Airborne. The grip module is also excellent with some scattered dings and scuffs and overall crisp grip texturing. Mechanically excellent. Box is excellent with limited storage and handling marks. This is a rare opportunity to own what is well on it’s way to being the next in a long line of storied U.S. military sidearms. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 439
Very Scarce Documented U.S. Air
Force Contract Shipped Smith &
Wesson Model 39 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Factory Letter, Box and
Additional Documents - Serial no.
81982, 9 mm para cal., 4 inch round bbl.,
blue/black anodized finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1969, this Model 39
pistol is one of possibly as few as 85 that
were documented as being shipped to
the U.S. Air Force. The included factory
letter lists shipment on 10 July 1969 to
the transportation officer at WRAMA/
Robins Air Force Base in Georgia and
confirms the current configuration. The factory letter,
along with a copy of a Smith & Wesson invoice both list 85 pistols in the
shipment. The pistol has the standard markings and features of the commercially sold counterparts. Includes a Smith & Wesson Model 39 box numbered to a different gun and an extra magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% of the original blue and black anodized finishes with a few scattered light handling marks and some very light edge wear. The grips are very fine with a few scattered minor dings and scratches, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with some mild wear.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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