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LOT 3435
H.G. Barner Marked Experimental Prototype Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Unique Finger Groove Grip Strap
- Serial no. EXP.304-0662, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., bright finish, checkered walnut grips. This interesting prototype pistol appears to have been made up of mostly Colt manufactured parts, possibly even in the Colt factory. The only external markings
on the pistol are “H.G. BARNER” over the experimental serial number “EXP. 304-0662” on the right of the frame and a “P” proof on top of the slide. It is unclear whether or not Barner was a Colt employee or if he manufactured this interesting frame himself and used mostly Colt parts to finish the pistol. The most prominent feature that this pistol appears to have been experimenting with is the front strap which has been machined with three deep finger grooves. Other than the front strap, the pistol shows mostly 1911A1 features including blade and notch sights, wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, short stamped trigger, and an arched serrated mainspring housing with a lanyard loop. The barrel is marked “F” on the bottom and “P” on the lug and the magazine is marked “COLT/45Auto.”.
CONDITION: Fine, showing mostly in the white metal with a bright grey patina overall and some scattered patches of brown. The trigger guard has had some metal removed from the left side. The grips are very good with some scattered light handling marks and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very interesting experimental prototype Model 1911A1 pistol. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3436
Highly Desirable Extremely Early 1912 Production, 49th Produced U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol Serial Number 549 - Serial no. 549, 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 extremely early, three-digit serial
number 549, 49th produced, 1912 production, U.S. Navy contract Colt Model 1911 pistol that was shipped on 7 March 1912 to the Brooklyn Navy Yard (“U.S. Military Automatic Pistols:1894-1920” by Meadows/Ellis). The left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line, two-block Colt address and patent
dates with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the right bears the desirable “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. NAVY” marking. The later replacement, blued barrel is marked “G/N” on the bottom in front of the lug and “COLT 45 AUTO” on the bottom left. The left side of the frame has the U.S. property marking
and faint “WGP” circled monogram above the magazine release, while the serial number is in the early forward position on the right. It is fitted with replacement blade front and flat 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 two-tone magazine with a pinned base with lanyard loop. CONDITION: Very good, retains most of the later, commercial style refinished blue finish, which shows a matte appearance on the top of the slide, with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The grips are also very with some moderate wear and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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