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LOT 1405
Excellent, Documented, Individual Sold, First Year Production Colt .38 Super Semi- Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter and Custom Case - Serial no. 2974, 38 super auto cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1929, the first year of production. These Super .38 pistols were first shown to the public at the August 1928 Camp Perry National Matches and were available for purchase by the start of 1929. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration, the grips not listed, as well as sale to H.F. Shipley and shipment to Simmons Hardware Co. in St. Louis on 6 July 1929. The left side of the matching number slide is marked with the two- line address and patent dates while the right side bears the caliber marking along with the Rampant Colt. The serial number is on the right of the frame, the left of the trigger guard is marked “1” over “VP”, and the right of the trigger guard is marked “20”. The unmarked barrel is blued with a polished chamber hood. Fitted with blade and notch rear sights, wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, arched checkered mainspring housing, checkered walnut grips, and a two-tone magazine marked “COLT” and “SUPER/38 AUTO” on the base. Includes a custom hardwood case featuring the Colt serpentine logo as well as information about the pistol laser etched in the lid, as well as a partial box of Remington .38 Super cartridges. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish with some very faint thinning visible on the front strap, a short faint takedown mark, and some very light edge wear near the muzzle. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is excellent with minimal handling/storage evidence. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
LOT 1406
Outstanding Pre-World War II Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Original Box - Serial no. C167720, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1933 right at the end of crime- rife Prohibition period, this is an exceptional example of a pre-World War II commercial Colt Government Model pistol. The left side of the matching number slide has the two-line address/patent dates and the right side has the caliber marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left of the trigger guard is marked “W/VP” and the right is marked “20”. The right side of the frame has the Government Model marking over the serial number. It has the “improved model” features including the short checkered trigger, wide checkered hammer, dished frame sides, and arched checkered mainspring housing with a lanyard loop. The blued barrel is unmarked with a polished chamber hood. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips and a two- tone magazine marked “COLT/45 AUTO.” on the base plate. Includes the original Colt maroon box with complete end label, cleaning rod, bore brush, and manual. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish with some very light edge wear mostly near the muzzle, a few small dark spots in the finish on the front right of the slide, and a few scattered light handling marks including a short, light takedown mark. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with some mild wear, mostly on the edges and corners. You would search a long time to find a pre-World War II Colt Government Model in such high condition! Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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