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LOT 3316
Very Fine Early Production
U.S. Colt Model 1911 Semi- Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 15186,
45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured in
1912, this very fine example of an early production U.S. military contract Colt Model 1911 pistol was part of a 500 gun shipment to
the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois on December 3rd, 1912. This beautiful example has the various transition features only seen on early production pistols. Many of these early 1911s were run to death over the course of years of hard
military service, subjected to military overhaul, or just plain lost, leaving examples from the first year of military contract production scarce in any condition, let alone in very fine condition as seen in this attractive example. It has the early/
transition style rounded rear sight with the narrow/thin half moon front sight blade, the left side of the slide has the very early short, two line/two block Colt markings with serifs that consists of “PATENTED APR. 20. 1897/SEPT.9. 1902. DEC.19.1905.
FEB.14.1911” followed by “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.”, with the circled Rampant Colt logo stamped behind the serrations and “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” (serifed) on the right side. The left front of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” with Walter G. Penfield’s “WGP”
monogram inspector’s mark on the left of the frame behind the trigger area, with a long trigger, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, flat mainspring housing, checkered grips with diamond-shaped flats, “R” marked pinned base two-tone magazine and a correct early full blue barrel marked “H” on the rear of the chamber hood and “5” on the underside ahead of the lug. Includes a later storage purpose brown cardboard box.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% plus of the original Colt military blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, scattered scratches/takedown lines, bright edge wear, and otherwise sharp markings in the metal overall. The grips are fine, with some light
dents and screwdriver markings. Mechanically excellent. As a very fine condition 1912 production U.S. Colt Model 1911 pistol, this is considered a desirable example that would make a fine addition to any 1911, Colt or U.S. Military firearms collection! Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
LOT 3317
Excellent World War II U.S. Colt Service Model Ace Semi- Automatic Pistol - Serial no. SM6251, 22 LR cal., 5 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in 1945, the left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line address and patent numbers , followed by the Rampant Colt, and the right side has the standard Service Model Ace and caliber markings. The right side of the frame has the U.S. property marking over the serial number, crossed cannons at the rear, and “90” on the trigger guard. The left side of the frame has the “G.H.D.” inspection mark and “R/VP” on the trigger guard. The barrel is unmarked and has a polished chamber. It is fitted with blade front and adjustable notch rear sights, short stamped trigger, serrated arched mainspring housing, wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, checkered reinforced grips, and a two-tone magazine with Colt Ace markings on the base. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original parkerized finish with some scattered light handling marks and some very light edge wear. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Mel Raucher Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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