Page 292 - 86-Book1

LOT 324
Exceptionally Fine World War I U.S. Colt Model 1911 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 166266, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1917 and shipped
to Springfield Armory on 6 July of the same year, just a few months
after the United States declared war on Germany. The left side of the slide has the
standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address, with the Rampant Colt behind
the serrations, and the standard model/Army nomenclature on the right. The serial
number is marked on the right of the frame, and the U.S. property marking is on the left along with the “GHS” inspection mark. The full blue barrel is marked “PH” on the chamber, “5” on the bottom, and “J” on the left of the lug. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slid release, thumb safety, and wide hammer, short grip safety, a smooth flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop on the base, diamond pattern checkered grips, and a two-tone magazine with lanyard loop base.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on the mainspring housing and some high spots, typical of holster wear, and a few light takedown marks. The grips are also very fine with some scattered light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Mel Raucher Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 325
Excellent U.S. Property Marked
World War II Production Colt
Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless
Semi-Automatic Pistol with
Original Box - Serial no. 570620,
32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl.,
parkerized finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1944 with “U.S.
PROPERTY” mark on the right side
of the frame. Matching number
slide and frame. Introduced as a
commercial pistol, the 1903 was
adopted by the U.S. military after
proving a commercial success and
became the standard sidearm for
General Officers during WWII and
was still issued into the 1970s.
Although this pistols serial number
falls in the middle of known
General Officer pistols, it is not
identified as such (570616 and 570621 both identified). Includes the original Kraft style box, hand numbered to the gun on the bottom, and hand marked “Mounts” on the lid. “The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols” by Brunner lists a Charles McNeal Mount Jr. as having been issued pistol number 567205, but it is unclear if there is any connection to this pistol/box.
LOT 326
Exceptional
Pre-World
War II Colt
Service Model
Ace Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. SM651, 22 LR cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1939, almost all of
the Colt Service Model Ace production was purchased
by the U.S. government for training purposes during World
War II. This rare example appears to have made its way onto the commercial
market just prior to the outbreak of World War II, as it lacks the typically seen
government property and inspection markings. The left of the slide has the
standard two-line address followed by the Rampant Colt, and the right has
the standard Service Model Ace and caliber markings. The “SM” prefixed serial
number is on the right of the frame with “99 on the right of the trigger guard. The
left of the trigger guard is marked “P/VP”. It is fitted with blade front and adjustable
notch rear sights, checkered short trigger, checkered slide release and thumb safety,
checkered wide hammer, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing,
checkered grips, and a two-tone magazine with Colt Ace markings on the base.
CONDITION: Extremely fine, retains 90% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, most noticeably on the forward sides of the slide. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Mel Raucher Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 327
Fine Early
Production
U.S. Colt
Model
1911 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 18889, 45
ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1913, the second year of production
for the U.S. contract Colt Model 1911 pistol. It is listed
on p. 515 of “U.S. Military Automatic Pistols: 1894-1920” by
Meadows as being included in a 500 gun shipment to Rock Island Arsenal
on 9 January 1913. The serial number is marked on the right of the frame
above the trigger guard and the left side has the U.S. property marking and the “WGP” inspection mark. The slide has the two-line, two-block patent dates and address on the left with the circled Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations and the model and army nomenclature on the right. The barrel has been completely polished and is marked “5” on the bottom and “H” on the rear edge of the chamber hood. It has blade front and the correct early round-top notch rear sight, which were beginning to be phased out in 1913. It is fitted with a long smooth trigger, checkered slide release and thumb
safety, short grip safety, wide
checkered hammer, and a smooth
straight mainspring housing with a
lanyard loop on the base. The grips
are diamond pattern checkered and
the magazine is the early two-tone
“keyhole” type with a lanyard loop
on the base.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, most noticeably on the grip straps and leading edges of the slide. The blue finish on the dust cover has been touched up and there is a visible weld/repair on the rear edge. The grips are very good with a few scattered minor blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Mel Raucher Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% of the original
parkerized finish with some slide retraction marks and very 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.
290 Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000