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LOT 1293
Phenomenal Martin Rabeno Signed World War II
U.S. Army Themed Panel Scene Master Engraved Colt
Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Horn
Grips - Serial no. CV36104, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl.,
brushed stainless finish, horn grips. Manufactured in 2013,
and subsequently embellished by Master Engraver Martin
“Marty” Rabeno. From his start as a hobbyist in college around
1974, Rabeno grew to become a highly skilled and well respected
master of the craft, being contracted for work by big names
including Winchester, Beretta USA, Colt, along with smaller custom
shops, and was even selected by Winchester in 1993 to perform
work on the “Centennial Model 1894-1994” rifle. He is also a founding
member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America, for which he
served as vice president for 11 years and was elected president in
1996. The frame of the pistol displays floral scroll pattern engraving and
punch-dot backdrops with roughly 50% coverage, Rabeno’s signature
“M.RABENO” on the left side of the grip frame, along with extensive floral
coverage continuing on the slide which displays finely detailed panel
scenes, themed for the U.S. Army during the European Theater in World
War II. The scenes consist of six infantrymen on the left, including a
Bazooka team, radioman, and M1 rifleman, two scenes on top with a
rear view of a M4 Sherman tank on the bottom and two riflemen resting
amongst a ruined city at the top, along with a scene on the right of five
more infantrymen, including one man tossing a grenade, a BAR gunner,
and a M1917 water-cooled machine gun team in action. Features fixed
blade front and notch rear sights, a “-COLT 45 AUTO-” marked stainless
barrel, Colt factory “triangle/VP” and “L” proofs on the left side of the
trigger guard, “G” on the right of the trigger guard, along with serrated
slide catch, thumb safety, hammer, long trigger, and flat mainspring
housing. Fitted with a pair of smooth horn grips.
CONDITION: Excellent with some limited minor cycling wear, a few faint
handling marks, and crisp engravings. The grips are also excellent with
some age lines and attractive color. Mechanically excellent. A truly eye
catching World War II U.S. Army themed Colt Government Model pistol
masterfully engraved by Martin Rabeno!
Provenance: The Frank Brownell Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000