Page 273 - 89-FLIPBOOK1

“Colt: The Legacy of a Legend”
LOT 336
Extraordinary, Well-Documented, Extremely Rare Presentation Cased Factory Grade “B” Engraved Colt Service Model Ace Semi-Automatic Pistol with Matching Engraved .45/22 Conversion Kit and Factory Letter Displayed at the Buffalo
Bill Historical Center Exhibit “Colt: The Legacy of a Legend” - Serial no. SM699, 22
LR cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1939 and featuring
an extremely rare Colt factory “B” engraving with a matching factory engraved .45/22 conversion unit. Experts believe that out of the 13,803 Service Model Ace pistols manufactured by Colt between 1935 and 1945 only eight were factory engraved. The .45/22 conversion is its own rarity. An estimated 112 conversion units were manufactured by Colt, and, out of the 112, only three units were factory engraved. Each conversion unit was numbered with a “U” prefix serial number that was stamped on top of the slide ahead of the rear sight. These units were numbered U1-U112. The three engraved units were nos. U4, U5, and U6 (see R.L. Wilson’s “Colt Engraving,” page 417). The serial number on the unit offered here is no. U4. The set has all the appearance of just being released from the factory. This is certainly a great rarity in Colt collecting and would by a worthy addition to the finest public or private collection! It is the only factory engraved Colt Service Model Ace and .45/22 conversion unit set known to us.
This unbelievable set is well-documented. The accompanying factory letter confirms the
5 inch barrel in .22 caliber, blue finish, pearl grips, and grade “B” engraving. The letter states that the pistol shipped on loan account to Abercrombie & Fitch of New York City
on November 10, 1938. This was a single gun shipment. The letter also confirms that grade “B” engraved Colt .45/22 conversion unit no. U4 was also shipped on loan account to Abercrombie & Fitch of New York City on November 10, 1938. Although the case is not listed in the factory letter, it is certainly factory. A similar case with additional latch locks is pictured in R.L. Wilson’s “Colt: An American Legend” on page 241. Shortly after this set was shipped from the factory it was purchased by World War II veteran USAF Brigadier General John Richardson who owned the set for 50 years until he sold it in November 1989. As General Richardson stated in his accompanying letter of provenance (copy): “Please be advised that I purchased the cased .45/22 Conversion Unit, SM699, ‘B’ engraved, Pearl Handles from Abercrombie & Fitch Co., New York City about 1939. I had the weapon
with me overseas (8th & 15 Air Forces) from early 1942 until late 1944 (almost 3 years overseas). However, it was not fired nor carried in a holster. Over the years, I took good care of this cased set. About 1960 (while living in Greensboro, NC), I refinished the original case so it would look bright and new on the outside.” In a second letter of provenance (copy) it is explained that Michael McHugh, with the exception for the brokering dealer, became the second owner of the set after General Richardson. McHugh owned the set
for over 20 years, displayed it at Colt Collectors Association shows in Burlingame and Portland and sold it our consignor in 2007.
271