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LOT 1292
Hawaii Purchased Pre-World
War II Colt Government
Model National Match Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter - Serial
no. C199741, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1940, one of only around 4,813 National Match Government Models manufactured between
1932 and 1941, making these pistols relatively rare on the collectors market. The included factory letter confirms
this pistol’s configuration, including a 5 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and type of grips not listed when
sold to C. K. Martin of Hilo, Hawaii, and sent as the only gun of its type in a shipment to W. S. Darley & Company in Chicago, Illinois,
on February 29, 1940, just over a year prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. This pistol was almost certainly purchased by Charles Kauakanelehua Martin
(1912-2003). Martin and other members of his family were law enforcement officers in Hilo, Hawaii, at the time of this pistol’s shipment, and Martin later was
promoted to Captain as head of the Traffic Division. Features fixed wide rounded blade front and square notch rear sights, “MATCH/COLT 45 AUTO” marked on
the underside of the blued barrel with polished chamber hood, the two-line Colt address and patent dates roll-marked on the left of the slide with “NATIONAL
MATCH” followed by two caliber designation and Rampant Colt roll-marked on the right of the slide, a matching “199/741” serial number marked behind the firing
pin stop on the slide, Swartz safety device, the model designation and serial number on the right of the frame, along with Colt factory “P” over “triangle/VP” proofs
on the left side and “60” on the right side of the trigger guard. Fitted with a checkered slide stop, thumb safety, short trigger, wide hammer, and arched mainspring
housing, a pair of checkered walnut grips, and a full-blue magazine marked “COLT/45AUTO.” on the base. Also included is a copy of a period photo of the Hilo, Hawaii
Police Pistol team, in which a “Sgt. Charles Martin” (no middle initial listed) is mentioned in the list of names.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% faded original blue finish with light edge wear, light cycling wear, thinning on the grip straps with smooth grey and brown patinas on the balance, some minor spotting,
light handling marks, and clear roll-marks. The grips are very good with mild compression marks and rub wear to the defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1291
Scarce Colt Model 1905
Military Semi-Automatic
Pistol Slotted for Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 4675, 45 ACP cal., 5
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. One of approximately 6,100
Model 1905 pistols manufactured by Colt between 1905 and 1911, with this example manufactured in 1907, being
the first pistols chambered for the now legendary .45 Colt Automatic Pistol (ACP) cartridge. Features fixed period
modified oval blade front and rounded notch rear sights, the two-line, two-block Colt patent dates and address roll marked on the
left of the slide with the “45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” caliber designation on the right side, the serial number on the left of the frame with
Colt factory “triangle/VP” and “W” sub-inspector proofs on the left of the trigger guard, and a very scarce factory slotted back strap for a combination
shoulder stock and holster. Fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 30% original blue finish primarily on the frame with the balance smooth grey patina, edge wear, scattered minor pitting,
general wear, and mostly crisp markings. The grips are also very good with light handling marks in the well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1290
Scarce Colt Model
1900 Commercial
“Sight Safety”
Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. 1470,
38 Colt Auto cal., 6
inch round bbl., blue finish, smooth walnut grips. This is a unaltered Colt “Sight Safety” Model 1900 semi-automatic pistol that
was manufactured in 1902. The Model 1900 was the very first Colt semi-automatic pistol produced, with only 3,300 “Civilian” models
being manufactured from 1900-1903. This pistol employed a unique mechanism in that the rear sight functioned as the safety. You
would have the rear sight in the up position to fire it and push it down to function as a firing pin block. Although they proved to be a
huge success because it demonstrated a very desirable technological upgrade (semi-automatic functioning), they were not well-liked as the
cartridge proved to have marginal stopping power. The right side of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBER 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS” and the left side is marked
“”BROWNING’S PATENT” COLTS PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./PAT’D APRIL 20. 1897. HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A.” with the circled Rampant Colt on the rear portion of the slide
behind the serrations. Casehardened flat spur hammer, niter blued trigger and magazine release. The magazine is nickel plated and is marked on the floorplate, “PAT’D
SEPT.91884.” It is fitted with the standard Colt factory smooth walnut grips with the brass escutcheons. Slide number matches the frame.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% of the bright original blue remaining overall, showing an even general wear with the balance a brown patina. The markings are clear and sharp
overall. The case colors have faded to a silvery hue. The refurbished grips are very good with a nice even brown finish showing light handling marks. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500