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LOT 3340
Fine Early Production Colt Model 1905 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol, Two-Digit
Serial Number “64”, with Factory Letter - Serial no. 64, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1906, the second year of Colt Model 1905
production, with this specific pistol being the 64th serialized example, with an approximate serial
number range of “40” to “1499” for that year as shown on page 61 of “Blue Book Pocket Guide for Colt Dates
of Manufacture” (2008 Publication) by R. L. Wilson and J. B. Allen. These were the first commercially available
model of pistol chambered for the now legendary .45 Colt Automatic Pistol (ACP) cartridge. The included factory
letter confirms the pistol’s configuration, including a 5 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and type of grips not
listed, when sent as the only pistol of its type in a shipment to Fletcher Hardware Company in Detroit, Michigan,
on February 6, 1906. Features fixed oval blade front and rounded notch rear
sights, a checkered round spur “stub” hammer with half-cock notch, the two-line,
two-block Colt patent dates and address roll-marked on the left side of the slide
followed with a circled Rampant Colt with the caliber designation on the right
side, the two-digit serial number on the left side of the frame, along with Colt
factory “triangle/VP” and “1” proofs on the left side of the trigger guard.
Fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips and
a correct blued magazine.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with smooth grey and brown
patinas on the balance, limited minor pitting, minor freckling/spotting, mild wear
focused on the edges, and clear roll marks. 50% original casehardened finish on
hammer, with 40% original niter blue on the trigger. The grips are also fine with
light rub wear to the defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3339
Highly Desirable Early Production Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. C1772, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1912, the first
full year of production, this is a fine example of an early production commercial Colt Government
Model. These pistols represented the cutting edge of firearms technology at the time and were
highly sought after by military personnel and civilians alike. Many of these early production Government
Models saw hard use through World War I as privately purchased sidearms and through the turbulent times of the Prohibition Era, leaving very
few examples available to collectors in high condition like this one. This particular example exhibits the highly desirable, early production, lustrous,
high polish blue finish and nitre blue small parts, which is believed to only be present on approximately the first 5,000 Government Models produced.
The slide on this pistol bears the two-line, two-block address and patent markings on the left with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations, while the
two-line caliber marking is on the right. There is a discreet import mark on the lower edge of the slide. The serial number is marked on the left of the frame,
as seen on only the first 2,250 Government Models, and the “GOVERNMENT MODEL” marking on the forward right of the
frame which was only seen until about serial numbers C4500-C5000. “VP” and “K” are marked on the left of the trigger guard.
The brush blued barrel has a partially marked “N” on the bottom in front of the lug and is of the period. It is fitted with a blade
front sight, early production rounded-top notch rear sight, checkered slide stop and thumb safety, wide checkered hammer,
short grip safety, smooth flat mainspring housing with a lanyard loop at the bottom, a pair of large diamond pattern checkered
walnut grips, and a two-tone “keyhole” magazine with a pinned lanyard loop base.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the bright, original, high polish blue finish and 50% plus of the bright, original nitre blue
with the balance grey patina, most noticeably on edges and handling areas, some very light pitting on the leading edges of the slide,
and some scattered minor scratches. The grips are also fine with a couple flattened patches on the right panel and otherwise crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent. These early production Colt Government Models do not appear in condition like this often, do not
miss this opportunity!
Estimate: 9,500 - 15,000
Serial Number C1772
Serial Number 64