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LOT 354
World War II
1941 Production
U.S. Colt Model
1911A1 Semi-
Automatic Pistol
- Serial no. 728300,
45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1941, the Robert Sears
inspected Colts marked the transition point from Colt’s
high polish blue to the parkerization treatment that would
become the standard for the rest of the war, with this example
having received the blue finish before the transition. Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service
Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1” lists this pistol in a shipment of 2,500 pistols
on 30 April 1941, on p. 396. The left side of the matching numbered slide has the
two-line, two-block, patent dates and address with the Rampant Colt between,
and the right side of the slide is correctly devoid of markings. The right side of the
frame has the U.S. property marking, serial number, and model designation, with
“60” on the trigger guard. The left side of the frame has the boxed “R.S.” Robert Sears
inspection mark, “P” proof, and “T” over “VP” proof on the trigger guard. The top of
the slide also has a “P” proof. The replacement
blued barrel is marked “P” and “HS” on the
lug. Fitted with blade and notch sights, wide
checkered hammer, short checkered trigger,
long grip safety, replacement arched checkered
mainspring housing with a lanyard loop, a full
blue “COLT 45 AUTO” marked replacement
commercial magazine, and replacement
diamond pattern checkered walnut grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 75% of the original
blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on the grip straps and edges, and some scattered minor takedown marks near the slide catch. The earlier production replacement grips are very fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 355
U.S. World War II Remington-Rand Model 1911A1 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 1325845, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., parkerized finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in
1943, at the height of World War II, this is an early production
example of a Remington-Rand 1911A1. The left side of the slide is marked with
the correct style two-line “REMINGTON RAND INC./SYRACUSE, N.Y.U.S.A.” address
and a “P” on top. The left side of the frame has the “FJA” inspection mark and “P”
below the magazine release. The standard U.S. property, serial number, and model designation are marked on the right side. The full blue barrel is marked “P” and
“HS” on either side of the lug. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, serrated slide release, checkered thumb safety and narrow hammer, short stamped trigger, serrated mainspring housing, checkered Keyes Fibre grips, and a “S” marked full-blue magazine. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the
original parkerized finish with some light edge/ slide retraction wear and a light takedown mark. The grips are also excellent with a few light handling marks near the bottoms and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 356
World War II U.S. Remington-Rand Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol with
Box - Serial no.
2445526, 45 ACP
cal., 5 inch round
bbl., parkerized
finish, plastic grips.
Manufactured in
1945. Blade and
flat top notch
sights, with the
standard slide
markings, “FJA”
inspected frame,
stamped trigger,
wide checkered
hammer, long grip
safety, checkered
thumb safety,
serrated slide catch and arched mainspring
housing, reinforced Keyes Fibre grips, full blue
magazine marked “R” on the toe, and a High
Standard “HS” barrel. Included with the pistol is a
correct brown cardboard “kraft” style box, hand-
numbered on the lid to match the pistol
CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% of the original
parkerized finish, with some scattered patches
of corrosion visible on the left side of the frame
and the left and top of the slide, areas of polishing, edge wear, and mild handling marks. The replacement hammer is finished in a contrasting high-polish blue. The grips are also excellent, with some light dings and dents. The box shows mild wear and tear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 357
Scarce “Battle
of Britain” Colt
Government Model (Pre-World War II Commercial)
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. C186576, 45 ACP cal., 5
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in
1937, this Colt Government Model pistol passed through the
Proof House at Birmingham and falls within the serial number
range C186000-C188812 of 13,000 pistols of this type shipped on July 2, 1940 to
the British Purchasing Commission. An estimated total of 2,595 “Battle of Britain”
Government Model pistols were shipped in an emergency effort by the British to
replace the small arms lost during the Battle of France in May 1940. These guns were
shipped to Winchester and then exported to Great Britain. In addition to the standard
Colt markings (“P/VP” and “60” on trigger guard, matching numbered slide, “COLT 45
AUTO” barrel), the “crown/BNP” stamp is present on the right side of the chamber, slide
and frame, tonnage/diameter markings on the chamber, and an “I 4 B” crossed sword
view stamp on the frame near the magazine catch. Fitted with fixed sights, a short
milled trigger, wide knurled hammer, slide catch, thumb safety and magazine catch, long
grip safety, arched mainspring housing, and checkered wood grips. Slightly earlier pattern commercial two tone replacement magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% of the original blue finish, showing bright edge wear, mild scratching concentrated on the front strap and numerous dings on the slide, and scattered light handling marks and spots. The grips are excellent, with some mild dings and dark spots. The magazine is also excellent. Mechanically functions but needs work as hammer drops to half cock when slide is released.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
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