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LOT3308
World War I U.S. Tanker Corps Uniform’s Grouping
with Very Rare World War I Camo Tanker’s Helmet
- 1) Tanker Corps tunic. The collar has the correct “US”
and tanker corps screwback disc insignia, with a tank
in profile badge stitched above the right breast pocket.
Sergeant rank chevrons are sewn to the right sleeve.
The following are sewn to the left sleeve: Tanker Corps
insignia tri-color triangle shoulder sleeve patch, yellow/
red insignia (which is repeated on the shoulders), honorable discharge chevron, and two overseas service chevrons. 2) Tanker Corps leather vest with a wool lining.
3) Garrison cap with cloth tanker corps insignia (two opposing Dragons under a tank in profile). 4) Camouflage painted Brodie helmet adorned with the following painted accents: “WILD/CAT”, U.S. flag, tank corps insignia marked “304/TANK CORPS” over the dates “1917-1919”, and flags inside a banner.
The inside of the helmet is painted with the name “JOHN I. MARTIN”. The
Tank Corps saw limited use during WWI and achieved mixed results. First
into combat in September 1918 at the Battle of St. Mihiel followed by the
Meuse-Argonne Offensive, for instance, the 326th and 327th Tank Battalions (later renamed the 344th and 354th which were part of the 304th Tank Brigade) found
their tanks running out of fuel crossing the battlefield or suffered setbacks trying to cross the terrain. Equipped with British Mark V tanks, the 301st Battalion ended with 10 of the 34 tanks participating in the Battle of S. Quentin Canal, making it to the rallying point. Some of the lost tanks were shelled before the advancement, while others were lost crossing
an unreported British minefield.
CONDITION: 1) Very fine, with some very scattered moth holes with more extensive moth damage near the waist which shows some repairs. 2) Very fine, showing some flex wear and some minor scratches on the leather. The wool lining shows mild wear with the label in poor condition. 3) Excellent, showing some
minor wear at the front. 4) Very fine, with most of the paint remaining.
The helmet is without a liner and chinstrap.
Provenance: The Saloga Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750
LOT 3309
Exceptional World War I U.S. Contract Colt Model
1911 “Black Army” Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
474699, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. In July of 1918, in an effort to further speed up
production, Colt changed the finishing process on the Model
1911 yet again. This involved the polishing process ending at the
“rough” stage, with the blue finish being applied to this “rough” or brushed surface
which led to a much darker, almost black, appearance. This example was manufactured in
late 1918, and is an example of a “Black Army”, as they came to be known. The left side of
the slide has the standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address with the Rampant Colt between, and “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” on the right. The frame is marked with the serial number on the right, with the U.S. property marking and eagle head inspection mark
on the left. The blued barrel is marked “5” on the bottom in front of the lug. Fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slide stop, thumb safety, magazine release, and wide hammer, long smooth trigger, short grip safety, flat smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop, and an unmarked two-tone magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the original “Black Army” blue finish with some light edge wear, scattered light handling marks, and a minor patch slightly
thinned to a smooth brown patina on the upper left of the slide.
The grips are excellent with a few scattered light blemishes in the
otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3310
Excellent World War I U.S.
Colt Army Model 1917
Double Action Revolver
- Serial no. 267307, 45 ACP cal., 5 1/2
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1918 with “UNITED
STATES PROPERTY” on the underside of the
barrel, “eagle head/S20” inspection mark and
Rampant Colt on the left side of the frame, “267307” on the frame and crane, and U.S. Army and model marking on the butt along with the number “115/881”. It is fitted with fixed sights, smooth walnut grips, and a lanyard ring on the butt.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the original blue finish with some light edge wear and some
faint thinning on the grip straps. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered light handling marks.
Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
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