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LOT 1467
Excellent World War II U.S. Union Switch & Signal Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 1050355, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., parkerized finish, plastic grips. In May of 1942 the U.S. government initially placed an
order with Union Switch & Signal Co. for 200,000 Model 1911A1 pistols,
an order which was later revised to 55,000 pistols. This pistol was likely manufactured early to mid-1943. The slide is marked
with the “USS” monogram and “U.S. & S. CO./SWISSVALE, PA. U.S.A.” on the left side, with a Robert Downie “R.C.D.” on the left of the frame, and standard U.S. government nomenclature on the right. The full blue barrel is marked “HS” and “P” on the
lug. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, thin checkered hammer, short stamped trigger, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop, Keyes Fiber checkered grips, and a full blue “R” marked magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original parkerized finish with some scattered light handling marks, some very light edge/
slide retraction wear, and a light takedown mark. The grips are very fine with a chip around the top left grip screw and a few scattered minor blemishes in
the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1468
Documented Colt U.S. Navy Contract Model 1900 Sight Safety Conversion Semi-Automatic Pistol
- Serial no. 1032, 38 ACP cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured and shipped
in 1900, this pistol was part of a limited order of 250 pieces made by the United States Navy for testing purposes. Initiated independently of the Army trial series, the Navy was interested
in the 1900’s virtues as a sea service sidearm. The Navy pistols were made in a serial number block of 1001 to 1250, bearing
both Colt’s serial number and a Navy inventory number; this pistol was #32 in the series, likely shipped in the first batch in
mid-October. Like many 1900s, the “safety conversion” has been performed on this example, replacing the novel combination rear sight and safety with a more orthodox fixed notch arrangement. Blade front and notch rear sights, with a set of later rear-cut slide
Collector’s Fact
Only 250 Colt Model 1900 Semi-Automatic Pistols were purchased by the U.S. Navy.
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS 1894- 1920 BY MEADOWS
serrations, two-block address and “BROWNING’S PATENT” markings on the left side, and the caliber
marking on the right. The frame is marked “1032” and “U.S.N. 32” on the right and left, respectively,
with a “trident” inspection mark on the right side and the “B in triangle” mark of Lieutenant Charles Brand on the left. The slide is matching numbered 1032 to the frame. Fitted with a casehardened spur hammer, niter blue conversion components and trigger, and smooth hardwood grips. This pistol is identified by serial number in Meadows’“U.S. Military Automatic Pistols, 1894-1920” on page 41.
CONDITION: Fine as factory sight safety converted/refurbishe, 50% of the blue finish, showing areas of mixed dark gray patina with pitting, especially on the left side of the slide and frame as well as on the grip frame, areas of streaked brown patina, bright edges, and scattered scratches and handling marks. A few flat spots are visible on the serrations; these flats are still blued, suggesting a factory error or inspector oversight. 40% niter blue is present on the small parts, with about half of the faded case colors on the hammer. Grips are good, with some light dents. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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