Page 271 - 89-FLIPBOOK2

PISTOLS DELIVERED IN THE FIRST LOT WERE INCORRECTLY MARKED "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY", EVEN THOUGH THE MODEL DESIGNATION HAD CHANGED TO 1911A1
LOT 1322
Rare 1937 Production U.S. Colt Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
According to author Charles Clawson, this rare 1937 manufactured Colt Model 1911A1 is one of only 2,349 pistols sold under contract to the U.S. Military that year, and is the second fewest 1911A1 pistols delivered in a calendar year.
no. 710384, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1937, this pistol is a rare example of
the resumption of military contract pistol
production after a 13 year lapse, and has the features
(though not the nomenclature) that define the 1911A1 Pistol. This particular
example was shipped on 1 February 1937 to Springfield Armory; while not explicitly
marked, over two thirds of 1937 production was earmarked for the United States
Navy. Roughly 2,349 of these pistols were manufactured in 1937 (see Clawson’s “Colt
.45 Service Pistols,” page 395). Part of the inventory at the time of America’s entry into
World War II, many of the Transitional 1911A1s saw hard use in the field, and can be
difficult to find in any condition. The left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line, two-block address and patent dates separated by the Rampant Colt. The right
side of the matching number slide bears the standard “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”
marking. The right side of the frame has the U.S. property marking over the serial number. The left of the trigger guard has “P” over “VP” and the right has “38”. The barrel is blued with a polished chamber hood and is marked “COLT 45 AUTO” on the lower left. It is fitted with blade front and flat top notch rear sights, checkered slide stop, checkered thumb safety, checkered arched mainspring housing with lanyard loop on the butt, a short checkered trigger, checkered wide hammer, and a two-tone magazine marked “COLT/45 AUTO.” on the base. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on the front grip strap and some edges, and a few very small scattered patches of light surface pitting. The grips are also very fine with a few scattered minor blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare, high condition example of a first order, 1937 production, U.S. Colt Model 1911A1 pistol! Provenance: The Ron Bucholtz Collection.
Estimate: 22,500 - 35,000 269