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LOT 1487
Documented U.S. Army Issued SIG Sauer M17 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box - Serial no. TF002206, 9 mm para cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., Coyote Tan finish. In January
2017 it was announced that SIG Sauer had won the highly competitive U.S. Military Modular Handgun System (MHS) contract to replace the Beretta M9 as the standard U.S.
military sidearm, and later that year the U.S. Army announced the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions were to be the first units to receive the M17. Only 3,000 of these pistols
were returned to SIG Sauer for sale on the commercial market. The introduction of the M17 marked the beginning of the end to the M9’s service with the U.S. Armed Forces
that originated in the late 1980s when it replaced the Colt M1911A1. If the service life of the M1911A1 and M9 are any indication to the longevity of the standard U.S. military
handgun, it will be decades before we see a round of rigorous testing to replace the M17, making this early U.S. Army example issued to the famed 101st Airborne Division a
historic piece of military hardware of the modern era that will only gain more collector interest in the future. The M17 is a variant of the SIG 320 modular pistol and integrates
an ambidextrous thumb safety to the modular fire control unit, with illuminated night sights, optics mounting point on the slide, “+P” weight recoil spring, and coyote tan
metal and polymer finish. The grip unit is marked size “M”. The shipping box is a numbered match to the pistol and identifies it as “UDM17-9-SURPLUS” and contains two extra
magazines, a standard weight recoil spring, cable lock, and papers. Per the included certificate, this pistol was part of the initial deployment of the U.S. M17 MHS Pistol in
American service. An included Freedom of Information Act letter from the Department of Defense states this pistol was received by Lima Company, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored
Cavalry Regiment in Fort Hood, Texas on January 7, 2018. On June 20, 2019 the pistol was turned in to the Logistics Readiness Center in Fort Hood and shipped to DLA
Distribution in Anniston, Alabama where it was received on July 25, 2019. That same day it was shipped to SIG Sauer Inc. in Newington, New Hampshire.
CONDITION: Excellent as a documented Army issued pistol, retaining 95% original Coyote Tan finish with scattered handling marks and scratches from use at Fort Hood. As is typical of these pistols the grip frame shows scratches and dings with some wear of the grip texture. Mechanically excellent. Box is very fine with limited storage and handling marks.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 1488
Documented Brazilian Air Force Taurus PT92 Semi-Automatic
Pistol Presented to U.S. Air Force
General Charles A. Gabriel with Case - Serial no. MA06055, 9 mm para
cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. A direct copy of the Beretta 92
or M9, the PT92 was produced in Brazil by Taurus on leftover Beretta machinery after
their contract with the Brazilian military had expired. Multiple branches of the Brazilian
military quickly adopted the “homemade Beretta” as their service sidearms, including the
Brazilian Air Force. This specific example bears the standard Taurus markings along with the
Brazilian crest and “MINISTERIO DA AERONAUTICA” on the right of the slide. Included with this specific pistol are two documents from the Brazilian Air Force, the first being a 1985 dated note of friendship from Chief of Staff
Alfredo Henrique de Berenguer Cesar to General Charles A. Gabriel of the U.S. Air Force presenting the pistol to him as
a gift. The other lists the pistol by serial number and appears to be a letter to the U.S. Air Force stating that the pistol was
in fact given to Gabriel as a gift by the Brazilian Air Force. General Charles A. Gabriel held various commands during his air
force career including commander of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in Vietnam, during which he is credited with
shooting down two MiG-15s, commander of United States Air Forces in Europe, and Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
before retiring in 1986. Includes a hardwood case (interior not fitted), bore brush, and an extra magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the original blue finish with only the slightest handling marks. The grips are also
excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with some minor handling/storage marks scattered throughout.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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