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LOT 1269
Excellent Documented Pre-World War II Individual Shipped
Colt Government Model National Match Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Original Shipping Box, Original Factory Box, and
Factory Letter - Serial no. C176961, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This outstanding pre-World War II
Colt Government Model National Match pistol was manufactured
in 1934. Only around 4,813 National Match Government Models
were manufactured between 1932 and 1941 with hand-fitted
parts and a special match-grade barrel, they were intended as
a production competition pistol. The included factory letter
lists the pistol in .45 caliber, with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish,
and grips not listed when sold to Theo Wieseman in Palmyra,
Wisconsin, and shipped to Louis Allis Company in New York on
31 August 1934. A Theodore R. Wieseman is listed in a 1964 issue
of “The Post-Crescent” of Appleton, Wisconsin as the consulting
vice president of the Louis Allis Company, which specialized
in individually motorized factory machines. The left side of
the slide has the standard two-line address and patent dates,
while the right has the National Match and caliber markings
followed by the Rampant Colt. The right side of the frame has the
Government Model marking over the serial number. The left side
of the trigger guard has “W/VP” and the right has “12”. The barrel
has a polished chamber hood and is marked with a circled “M.B.”
on the left of the lug and “45 AUTO.” on the lower left. It is fitted
with a blade front sight and flat-top notch rear sight, a checkered
slide stop and thumb safety, an arched checkered mainspring
housing, a pair of checkered walnut grips, and a two-tone
magazine marked “COLT/45 AUTO.” on the base. Includes the
original Railway Express Agency labeled shipping box addressed
to Theo. Wieseman, the original factory box with additional
National Match label, and a bore brush.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus of the original blue
finish with some mild edge/holster type wear, showing grey
patina mostly on the forward edge of the slide and frame, and
a light takedown mark. The grips are also excellent with a few
light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent. The factory box is excellent with some very light
handling/storage wear, and the shipping box is fine with mild
wear and a few absent pieces of labeling. An exceptional,
individual shipped Colt National Match pistol that has incredibly
retained its original factory and shipping boxes for over 90 years!
A true time capsule!
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000