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LOT 270
Very Fine World War I Era Colt Government Model Semi- Automatic Pistol with British Military Marked Grip - Serial no. C94318, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1917, fairly early in the production of the Colt Government
Model. This pistol represented the cutting edge of firearm technology and was highly sought after by military personnel and civilians alike. This particular example may be what is sometimes called a “Commercial Issue”, or commercial
Government Model pistols that were purchased by, or for military officers. Though it bears no other British proofs, the right grip is marked with a “4” and a “broad arrow/M” within an oval on the upper diamond and the leading edge near the
bottom appears to be stamped “L1462”, and both grip panels appear to have some faint flecks of yellow paint. In 1917 this pistol would have been an incredible deployment or discharge gift for any officer involved in The Great War. This pistol’s serial number falls between two listed on p. 263 of “The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911” by Goddard, C94119 which was shipped to General J.T. Stockton, and W94342 in .455 Webley which was shipped to Thomson
Sutherland. The slide bears the two-line, two-block address and patent markings on the left side with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right of the slide has the caliber markings. “VP” and “V” are on the trigger guard, and “GOVERNMENT MODEL” is on the right side of the frame above the serial number. The blued barrel has a polished chamber hood and is marked “P” on the bottom in front of the lug and “5” on the left of the lug. It is fitted with blade and flat top notch sights, checkered slide
catch and thumb safety, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, diamond pattern checkered grips, and a two-tone magazine with a lanyard loop base.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily on the leading
edges of the slide and the grip straps, and a couple very small patches of extremely light surface pitting on the left side of the slide. The grips are also very fine with the markings
noted above, a minor dent in the upper right, and otherwise minimal handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 271
Excellent Colt
Model 1902 Military Semi- Automatic Pistol
- Serial no. 33646, 38
Colt auto cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1919, this Military Model of 1902 pistol exhibits the mid-production high polish blue finish and spurred hammer which was just beginning to be phased in, and was standard by
approximately serial number 37000. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line patent date and two-line address arranged in two blocks with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right side of the slide has the two-line caliber marking, “AUTOMATIC
COLT/CALIBRE 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. The left side of the frame has the serial number and “VP” and “W” on the left of the trigger guard. It is fitted with blade and rounded top notch sights, a lanyard swivel on the lower left of the grip frame, checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts and “COLT” banners, and an unmarked full
blue magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 75% of the original nitre blue on the trigger, and 85% plus of the vibrant original case
colors on the hammer with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges and the grip straps, and a small dot of gold paint and two small patches of very light surface pitting on the front left of the slide. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks, crisp checkering, and an attractive chocolate
tone. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 272
Pre-World War II Colt Ace Semi-Automatic Pistol, London Armory Shipped Via the
Winchester Repeating Arms
Company with Factory Letter
- Serial no. 8075, 22 LR cal., 4 7/8
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. According to the included
factory letter, this pistol was sent as
a single item on September 29, 1937, to the London Armory
Company of 31 Bury Street, St. James, London, with the added note of “c/o Winchester Repeating Arms Company/New Haven, Connecticut”. Sharing a name with a producer of rifles and revolvers for the
Confederacy, the London Armory Company as it existed in 1937 was a distributor for Winchester. The letter doesn’t state why Winchester sent the pistol to London; it may have been for their British agents to
get an idea what the “other guys” were up to, or for sampling/testing Winchester’s ammunition. Blade front and adjustable notch rear sights with the two line address and patent dates on the left side of the slide, “crown/V” proofs on the frame and slide, “V”, “GP” and “NP” proofs on the chamber, and “NOT ENGLISH MAKE” on the right side of the frame. Fitted with a short milled trigger, a wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard stud and a two- tone magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine with 95% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish showing some light scratches around the slide stop and on the grip straps, a small amount of spotting and some bright edge wear. The grips are fine with moderate wear on right panel, minor on left, some staining and dings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 5,000
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