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LOT 1434
Documented World War
I Era Colt Government
Model Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Factory
Letter - Serial no.
C90466, 45 ACP cal., 5
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1917, this pistol represented the pinnacle of firearms technology at the time and would have been the envy of military officers and civilians alike. The left side of the slide has the standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address followed by the Rampant Colt behind the serrations, caliber marking
on the right, and Government Model marking over the
serial number on the right of the frame. The trigger
guard is marked “VP” and “2” on the left. The barrel has a
polished chamber hood, the balance blued with an “O”
and “P” stamped on the bottom. Fitted with fixed blade
and notch sights, checkered diamond pattern grips,
and a two-tone magazine. The included factory letter
confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Company in Boston on 6 February 1917.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered small patches of darker blue light pitting on the upper edges of the slide. The grips are excellent with a couple minor dings near the upper right screw and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1435
Outstanding Documented Pre-World War II Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Original Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 539540,
LOT 1436
Desirable World
War I Era Westley
Richards & Co.
Retailer Marked
Colt Government
Model Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. C30359, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1916,
this pistol is listed among a shipment of 500 Government
Model pistols to London Armoury Co. in England in March of
1916. These Colt Government Model pistols were the pinnacle of
handgun technology at the time and were highly sought after by military men
and civilians alike. Many of these pistols were shipped to Britain during World War
I for private purchase through various retailers by British officers, with this pistol likely meeting the same fate. This specific pistol was sold through Westley Richards & Co., with their hand engraved marking visible on the left of the slide above the standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address. The left of the frame has the period non-factory added “JJ” along with “VP” and “e” on the trigger guard. The right of the frame has the standard Government Model marking and “C” prefixed serial number, with the caliber marking on the right of the slide. British proofs are visible on the frame, slide, and
barrel. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, flat smooth mainspring housing with
a lanyard loop, diamond
pattern checkered grips,
and a two-tone magazine
with lanyard loop base.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily in the form of minor edge wear, and some mild handling wear/light cleaning on the mainspring housing. The grips are also very fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1437
Excellent Documented
Colt Vest Pocket Model 1908 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Original Box and Factory Letter - Serial no. 374275, 25 ACP cal., 2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1928 with standard
wo-line address/
patent dates and
Rampant Colt on the left of the slide, caliber marking on the right, serial number on the
eft of the frame, “1/VP” and “91” marked
trigger guard, and standard features. The
included factory letter confirms the current
configuration as well as shipment to Jordan
Hardware Co. for H.C. Middleton on 19 November 1928. Includes the original Colt maroon box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% of the original blue and vivid casehardened finishes with only the slightest handling evidence. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with one side panel of the lid detached and mild wear.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
t
l
32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured in 1939
with the standard two-line
address/patent dates and Rampant Colt on the left of the
slide and the caliber markings on the right. Trigger guard
marked “X/VP” and “75”, the serial number on the left of the frame, and standard features. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration with the grips not listed as well as shipment to Blish, Mize & Silliman Hardware Co. in Atchison, Kansas on 6 October 1939. Also included is the original Colt maroon box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original blue finish with a few scattered very light scratch marks visible on the front grip strap. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is also excellent with some very light corner storage wear. One will look a long time to find another example like this!
372 Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500