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LOT 345
Highly Desirable Documented First Year Production U.S. Navy Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 11159, 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 a fine example of a 1912 production, U.S. Navy contract, Colt Model 1911 pistol that was shipped on 5 November 1912 to the Brooklyn Navy Yard (“The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911”
by Goddard). It is finished in the military brushed blue finish that was adopted in April of 1912. The left side
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS (1894-
1920) BY MEADOWS
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 left side of the frame has the U.S.
property marking and “WGP” circled monogram above the magazine release, while the serial number is on the right. The blued barrel is marked “5”
on the bottom in front of the lug. 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 two-tone magazine
with pinned lanyard loop base. This specific pistol is listed on p. 526 of “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols: 1894-1920” by Meadows as issued to U.S. Navy Fighting
Squadron 1 on 14 August 1944.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The grips are also fine with mild wear, some scattered minor dings, and otherwise mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
LOT 346
Excellent World War I U.S. Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 235453, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1918, this pistol is listed on p. 519 of “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols: 1894-1920” by Meadows as having shipped to Springfield Armory
on 15 February 1918, well before the conclusion of World War I. The left side of the slide has the standard two-line, two-
block patent dates and address, with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the right side has the standard “MODEL OF 1911.U.S. ARMY”
address. The U.S. property marking is on the left of the frame along with the “JMG” inspector’s mark, and the serial number is on the right. The blued barrel is marked “5” on the bottom in front of the lug. Fitted with blade
and flat top notch sights, checkered slide release, thumb safety, and wide hammer, short grip safety, long smooth trigger, a pair of diamond pattern
checkered grips, and an unmarked two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish with a
few small scattered patches of brown oxidation and very minimal handling evidence. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This World War I Colt Model 1911 best exemplifies what was issued in the war and would enhance your collection nicely!
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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