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LOT 1397
Desirable Early 1912 Production U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. 2765, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. A total of 15,037 of these pistols were manufactured by Colt with the desirable U.S. Navy slide marking, all of which were
delivered prior to April of 1915. After that, all Model 1911 pistols delivered to the Navy would bear the standard U.S. Army nomenclature, of which there were
approximately 578,473 manufactured, making this variation comparatively very scarce. This is an example of an early 1912
production, U.S. Navy contract Colt Model 1911 pistol that was shipped on 1 June 1912 to the Brooklyn Navy Yard (“The
Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911” by Goddard). The left side of the slide is marked with the standard
two-line, two-block Colt address and patent dates with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the right bears the desirable
“MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY” marking. The barrel has a non-factory polished chamber hood and is marked “3” on the bottom in front of the lug and a horizontal “H” on the rear face of the chamber hood.
The left side of the frame has the U.S. property marking and “WGP” circled monogram above the magazine release, while the serial number is in the early forward position on the right. It is
fitted with blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, checkered slide catch, thumb safety, magazine catch, and wide hammer, long smooth trigger, smooth flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, a pair of
diamond pattern checkered walnut grips, and a refinished replacement magazine with a pinned base with lanyard loop.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% of the original blue finish with the balance having mostly thinned to a smooth grey patina, most noticeably on the grips straps and in the form of mild holster wear. The grips are very good with some scattered minor dings throughout and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
LOT 1398
Outstanding World War I U.S. Winchester Ordnance Inspector Shipped Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 247291, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1918, it is listed on p. 520 of “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920” by Meadows as being part of a shipment of 20 pistols to the ordnance inspector at Winchester Repeating Arms Company
on 26 April 1918, shortly before the end of World War I. These pistols would have likely been used for testing Winchester manufactured ammunition, however, judging by the exceptional condition of this example, it was
never selected to be used. The left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address on either side of the Rampant Colt, while the right side has the standard model and U.S.
army marking. The left of the frame has the standard U.S. property marking and a “JMG” inspector marking. The blued barrel is marked with a conjoined “HP” on the chamber hood, “Z” on the right of the lug, and “5” in front of the
lug. The two tone magazine is unmarked and has a lanyard loop base. It is fitted with diamond pattern checkered walnut grips. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original brush blue finish with a few scattered light dings showing bright and a very light takedown mark on the left of the frame. The grips are equally excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An outstanding example of a U.S. Colt Model 1911 that was shipped to Winchester!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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SERIAL NUMBER RANGE LISTED IN THE BOOK U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS (1894- 1920) BY MEADOWS