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LOT 3335
Documented Cased
D.G.F.M.-(F.M.A.P.)/Colt
Modelo 1927/1911A1
Semi-Automatic Pistol
Upgraded to National
Match Configuration
with .38 Super and .22 LR Conversion Kits Attributed
as Requested by General Simler for General LeMay, Both
of the U.S. Air Force - Serial no. 33041, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. An included copy of a letter
on Department of the Air Force letterhead states that on 7 July 1968 General
George B. Simmler [sic] authorized an air force facility (Gunsmith Div./MMS) to carry out
certain modifications on a personal firearm of his, which is listed as “Colt Pistol M1911A1, Cal.
45. Serial # 33041”. The specific modifications are listed as: “Rebuild to Match Grade Specification as outlined in T.O. 11W3-3-3-14 and fit Colt 38 Super and Colt Ace 22LR Slide assemblies to component #33041 with minimum tolerances, to insure proper functioning and accuracy.” and it also states that these items were to be fitted in a special case provided by General Simler, and that the work was carried out by Pistol Section and supervised by M/SGT. B.J. Bjorlund. That letter
is signed by USAF Colonel James A. Wolmers, Chief Gunsmith Div/MMS. An included copy of
a letter on Patrick D. Burke attorney at law letterhead, who states that he was the attorney for General George B. Simler’s estate, and that the general’s wife states that the set was originally requested for presentation to General Curtis E. LeMay in the summer of 1968. It goes on to state that the USAF gave the go-ahead to the project with the stipulation that it would be at no cost
to them and the set was presented to General LeMay in August 1968; however, it was meant to be returned later in the week as General Simler’s name had been mispelled on the presentation case plate.
The USAF rescinded the authorization of the presentation in their name, leading General LeMay to accept the set in name only while leaving it at Randolph Air Force Base until the issue with the name plate and presentation could be sorted out. Interestingly, in both of these previously discussed letters, General Simler’s name is misspelled as “Simmler”. Also included is extensive information regarding the two generals discussed above, as well as the plane crash that killed General Simler in 1972. The pistol appears to be an Argentine D.G.F.M.-(F.M.A.P.) manufactured Model 1927 frame dated to 1946, fitted with a Colt Government Model slide and upgraded generally speaking to National Match configuration. Both the barrel and barrel bushing bear standard National Match markings. Also included in the set is a Colt .38 Super slide assembly and magazine, a Colt Ace .22 LR slide assembly and magazine, a barrel bushing wrench, a screwdriver, and three boxes of cartridges, one each of the calibers mentioned above, that each appear to contain their full compliment of cartridges. All of these accessories are housed in a fitted case with USAF badge on the outside lid and a USAF patch attached to the interior of the lid. CONDITION: Very fine as Air Force gunsmith upgraded to National Match style configuration and combined as a set, retains 95% plus blue finish on the pistol and both slide assemblies with some moderately softened markings on the frame and the Ace slide, but most other markings crisp. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with some scattered light handling/storage marks.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 3336
Documented U.S. Army Issued SIG Sauer M17 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Box - Serial no. TF003995, 9 mm para cal., 4 1/2 inch
round bbl., Coyote Tan finish, polymer grips. In January 2017 it was
announced that SIG Sauer had won the 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. 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 I Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fort Hood,
Texas on January 7, 2018. On June 18, 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 used by the 3rd Armored Cavalry regiment, retaining 97% plus original coyote tan finish with scattered dings and scratches and general handling marks. The grip module shows wear consistent with Army issue. Mechanically excellent. Box is very fine with limited storage and handling marks.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
General Curtis LeMay
223