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LOT 3302
Outstanding Documented Denise Thirion Factory Master Engraved Special Order Colt Mk. IV Series 80 Officer’s ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol
Ordered for Author of “The Colt U.S. General Officers’ Pistol”, Horace Greeley with Factory Letter - Serial no. FA04914E, 45 ACP cal., 3 1/2 inch round
bbl., nickel finish, checkered grips. Manufactured in 1997, this beautiful Colt Officer’s ACP pistol was special ordered for the author of the book on compact officer’s
pistols, Horace Greeley, who wrote “The Colt U.S. General Officers’ Pistol”. The included factory letter lists the pistol in .45 ACP with a 3 1/2 inch barrel and full
nickel finish without bead blasting. It goes on to state that the checkered ivory grips were provided by the customer. The letter lists that the pistol received class C scroll engraving that was executed by Colt Master Engraver, Denise Thirion. The
letter lists the special order features as an extended safety on the left side, a steel mainspring housing, a Novak low mount rear sight, dovetailed front sight, three
magazines (only one included now), and a custom fit selected barrel. It lists shipment to Mandall Shooting Supplies in Scottsdale, Arizona for Horace Greeley on 14 May
1997 as a single gun shipment. The pistol features the beautifully executed class C floral scroll engraving, which covers about half of the surfaces. The left side of the slide has
the standard Colt Mk. IV Series 80 markings followed by the Rampant Colt. The right of the slide has the model designation.
The right of the frame has the Colt address and serial number. The barrel is marked “COLT 45 AUTO” on the chamber hood. It
is fitted with a Patridge blade front and low mount Novak rear night sights, serrated skeletonized hammer, long beavertail grip safety, checkered mainspring housing, extended thumb safety, a pair of diamond pattern checkered grips, and a nickeled magazine with Colt markings on the base. There is a brass collection style tag attached to the trigger guard marked “0651”.
CONDITION: Near new, retains 99% plus of the original nickel finish with only the slightest handling marks and crisp engraving overall. The grips are also near new with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An outstanding special order Officer’s ACP ordered by the author of THE book on Colt compact officer’s pistols, Horace Greeley!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3303
Documented U.S. Colt Model M General Officer’s .32 ACP Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter, Case, and Box - Serial no. 568508, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1944. The left side of the slide has the standard two-line Colt address and patent dates with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the right has the caliber marking. The right of the frame has the U.S. property marking and the serial number and an ordnance department crossed cannons mark is on
the left. It has standard features including a pair of checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions at the tops. This pistol falls between two known general officer issued Model M pistols, serial number 568506 and 568509, which are both listed as issued in 1954 on p. 76 of “The Colt U.S. General Officers’ Pistol” by Horace Greeley. Included is a small brass collection tag marked “0618”. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) and shipment to Springfield Armory on 30 December 1944. Includes a hardwood case
with the factory letter shipment information carved on the
lid, a Kraft box numbered to a different gun, a50 count box of
Winchester .32 Auto ammunition, and an extra magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original
parkerized finish with some light edge wear and a few
scattered light handling marks. The grips are also excellent
with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The case is excellent with a few scattered light handling/storage marks. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
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