Page 250 - 88-BOOK3

Only 1,055 Colt Model 1908 Hammerless pistols were delivered to the U.S. Navy, with the majority issued to the Office of Naval Intelligence.
248
LOT 3420
Documented World War II U.S. Navy Shipped Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Holster and Factory Letter - Serial no. M135227, 380 cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1944, this is one of only 3,113 Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols
purchased by the Ordnance department in 1944-1945, and one of only 1,055 of the pistols received by the U.S. Navy. The majority of these pistols were issued to the Office of Naval Intelligence. The navy experienced malfunctions with some of the pocket automatic pistols, and the pistols were returned to
Colt between April and June 1945 for testing. The tests determined that the malfunctions were caused by ejectors, extractors and bent magazine lips. The returned pistols were modified by Colt and stamped with “M” in front of the serial number. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed), as well as sale to the U.S. government and shipment to the Naval Supply Depot in Oakland, California on 9 August 1944 in a shipment of 59 guns. The letter also notes that the “M” prefix was added in front of the serial number when the pistols were returned to the factory for repair as previously mentioned. The left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates, followed by the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right side of the slide is marked with the two-line caliber marking. The left side of the frame has the serial number with “M” prefix and an ordnance stamp at the rear, while the left has the U.S. property marking. It has blade and notch sights and is fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions. Includes an original Navy issue black leather holster used with this model during World War II. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% of the original blue finish with some scattered light pitting, primarily on the left side of the slide, showing some smooth grey patina on the balance. The grips are excellent with a few scattered very light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very fine with some light wear. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3421 U.S. Navy Sedgley Mark Two “Fist Gun” Hand Firing Device - NSN, 38 cal., 2 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish. Originally patented in 1944 by Stanley M. Haight, the Sedgley Fist Gun, also known by the nomenclature “Hand Firing Mechanism Mark 2”, has been the subject of great speculation and a certain amount of fantasy about its intended purpose and end users; some sources describe it as an assassination weapon or attribute it to the Office of Strategic Services (to the point of actually being listed as “OSS Glove Pistol” in the ATF’s Curio & Relic List), and in fiction they were featured in the film “Inglorious Basterds” (sic) being used by two of the titular commandos to eliminate a pair of Nazi sentries during their attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Per the original patent, Haight’s pistol was designed with the regular soldier in mind first and foremost. Citing the prevalence of sneak attacks and hand to hand combat in warfare, Haight designed a weapon that could be ready and at hand at all waking hours, so even if a soldier was caught unaware or while separated from his regular service weapon, he could simply ball up his fist and make a good, loud response. Additionally, the original patent points out that any concealability was secondary to speed of deployment, actively distancing the Fist Gun from previously designed ‘’sneak’’ weapons, and aside from using subsonic loads, there is no on-board provision for noise reduction. Documentation of actual use in the field is virtually non-existent, though the Sedgley has been reported in/on the hands of WWII U.S. Navy Construction Battalion (Seabee) men operating heavy equipment like boats or tractors. The weapon is of blued steel construction and mounted to a curved steel plate, which bears the Sedgley nomenclature. For firing, a plunger mechanism runs forward, parallel to the barrel, with a round button about 3/4 inch ahead of the muzzle; making a fist takes the fingers out of the way and exposes the plunger, which you then jam into your would-be ambusher’s nearest body part, promptly discharging the 38 caliber round at near-contact distance. After discharge, the soldier could either manually eject the empty shell and reload, or keep hitting the enemy with the over one pound steel blunt instrument strapped to their hand. This particular example is not fitted to a glove. CONDITION: Fine, with 50% of the original blue finish, showing numerous scattered patches of brown and gray oxidization, patches of pitting, and some dents on the plunger assembly and muzzle (the muzzle dent does not appear to affect the bore). The plunger is a bit stiff and the safety needs adjustment, otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500