December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Per the included factory letter, this pistol left the factory as a 5" .45 ACP with blued finish, factory engraving, a special 4 - 1/2# trigger pull, and was sent to William H. Hoegee Company, Los Angeles, California, on September 29th, 1925, in a shipment of 1 as Colt Factory Order 10355/1. The engraving is executed in approximately B-class coverage and is Gough's style of engraving with his preferred lined backgrounds and rolling vinework. Top of slide has particularly interesting acanthus scroll about the ejection port, and a floral device on chin. Other features include half moon front sight, square notch flat top rear sight, 2-line 1-block patent and address information on left side of slide, Colt caliber marking on right. Barrel with "S" in front of lug, frame with a faint "G" near disconnector hole. Left side of trigger guard with Colt's VP proof and "1" subinspector proof, right with "20" subinspector. Small parts comprise checkered spurred hammer, thick tab checkered safety, checkered slide release, short milled trigger, short grip safety, arched knurled mainspring housing with lanyard loop; many of the small parts are engraved en suite, including the reverse of the magazine release. 2-tone magazine. Grips are currently a pair of ivory steerhead grips, with relief steerhead on right side; right scale has writing on interior with a name and phone number along with a note that reads "wants to buy". Housed in an appropriate Colt maroon box for a Government model with Colt's Special Instructions booklet, but is numbered to a different gun. PROVENANCE: Richard "Dick" Burdick collection. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining the vast majority of the Colt factory bluing, with some distension about proofs from application of stamp. There is some silvering to high edges and towards muzzle from age and use, heavier on left side than right, perhaps indicative of being placed in a drawer. Silver areas are mixing with some light chocolate mossing. Legends are crisp; engraving is well-cut and attractive. Mechanically fine, bore with softened rifling and heavy frosting. Box with some age-related distress, including rubs at edges, but complete and intact. Engraved 1911s are difficult to find, especially in the interwar period, when Colt was turning out some of their finest handguns.