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LOT 3479
World War II U.S. Union Switch & Signal Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol with U.S. Shoulder Holster - Serial no. 1068138, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., Dulite 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. Model 1911A1 pistols were a very common sidearm issued to pilots during World War II, and this example very well may have been one of those that ended up in the hands of a pilot. 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
blued barrel has a polished chamber hood
and 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, a pair of clear acrylic grips backed with white that may have once been “sweetheart grips”, and a full blue “G” marked magazine. Includes a U.S. Enger-Kress “1944” dated shoulder holster, a type commonly issued to pilots who carried a Model 1911A1 as a sidearm in the cockpit.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original dulite finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina in the form of holster type wear, typical of a pistol that may have been issued to and carried in World War II by a pilot. The GI handmade grips are fine with some mild wear. Mechanically excellent. The holster is also fine showing some mild wear.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3480
Excellent World War II U.S. Remington-Rand Model
1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 1282944,
45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, plastic
grips. Manufactured in 1943, at the height of World War II, this is an
early production example of a Remington-Rand 1911A1. The left side of the slide is
marked with the correct style two-line “REMINGTON-RAND INC./SYRACUSE, N.Y.U.S.A.”
address and a “P” on top. The left side of the frame has the “FJA” inspection mark and
“P” below the magazine release. The standard U.S. property, serial number, and model designation are marked on the right side. The full blue barrel is marked “G” on the bottom in front of the lug and “COLT 45 AUTO” on the lower left. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slide release, checkered thumb safety and narrow hammer, short stamped trigger, checkered mainspring housing, checkered Keyes Fiber grips, and a “S” marked full-blue magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original parkerized finish with some scattered light handling marks and some light edge wear. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent, weak grip safety spring. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3481
U.S. Property Marked World War II Colt Model 1908
Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
M137679, 380 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. Manufactured in 1944 with standard markings as
well as the rare and desirable “U.S. PROPERTY” marking on the right side of the frame and an “M” in front of the serial number. It is fitted with blade front and flat top notch rear sights, and checkered grips with Colt medallions. The magazine is absent. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% pf the original blue finish
with numerous scattered specks of pinprick type surface pitting, primarily confined to edges, and otherwise minimal handling evidence. The grips are excellent with a few scattered minor blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3482
Exceptional U.S. Smith &
Wesson 1899 Army Model
Double Action Revolver -
Serial no. 13133, 38 LC cal., 6
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. The U.S. Army purchased only
1,000 S&W Model 1899 revolvers, which
were manufactured in 1901, and these revolvers
are found in the serial number range 13000-14000. The left side
of the frame, rear cylinder face and underside of the barrel have the U.S. inspector initials “K.S.M.” A U.S. “P” proof is stamped on the underside of the barrel. The left side of the
barrel has the caliber designation for .38 Long Colt (“S&W 38 MIL”). The top of the grips are stamped “J.T.T./1901” on the left
panel and “K.S.M.” on the right panel. The butt has a lanyard swivel and is stamped “U.S./ARMY/MODEL/1899.” Matching serial numbers are on the front grip strap, right grip panel, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 80% plus bright original high polish blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. 95% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are excellent with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A solid example of a scarce U.S. S&W Model 1899 revolver.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3483
World War I U.S. Smith & Wesson
Model 1917 Double Action Revolver
with British Proofs and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 103431, 45 ACP cal., 5
1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. This is an excellent example of a Smith & Wesson
Model 1917 U.S. Army revolver, manufactured between
1917 and 1946, featuring fixed sights consisting of a forged round
blade front and a notch frame cut rear sight. The top of the barrel has the two line S&W address/patent dates. The left side of the barrel is marked “S&W DA 45”, the underside of the barrel is marked “ “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”“. The barrel further shows three proof marks a “Crown/BV”, “Crown/GP” and “Crown/NP”. The frame has a “Crown/BV” marking above “Not English Made” with a U.S. flaming bomb proof mark
on the top left side and a “crossed sword” B/B over two. The cylinder face is further marked with the serial number, an “Eagle head S24” and the outside of the cylinder is marked with all 3 British proof marks listed on the barrel. The bottom of the butt is marked “U.S./ARMY/MODEL/1917/No/103431”. Casehardened trigger and hammer fitted with smooth walnut grips with lanyard swivel and lightly carved “WP” in left grip. The included factory letters confirms the barrel length, finish, and grips and that is was shipped on October 14, 1918 to the U.S. Government Bush Terminal.
CONDITION: Excellent with 90% plus original blue finish with numerous scattered dings and light scratches, edge wear and a noticeable drag line. All markings and proof marks are crisp and clear. Grips are also excellent with some light scratches and a few minor dings. Single Action needs work, double action mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
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Collector’s Fact
Only 1000 Smith & Wesson 1899 Revolvers were purchased by the U.S. Army.