October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
This gun is an all original US Colt World War II era gun with a serial number dating it to 1941. It is standard in all respects with a GHD (Guy Dewey) stamp and crossed cannons on left side with all proper World War II era Colt parts and parkerized finish with no visible slide temper line. There are no extra stamps such as import/export, etc., but does come with a letter from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) stating the pistol, serial number 1722140, was sold from their inventory to private collector Aldo Burdi of West Virginia. According to documents, this gun has been in the custody of the CNMI government since the end of the Battle of Saipan in July of 1944. These guns were maintained in the armory located on the island of Saipan. They were turned in by locals and U.S. Forces after the cessation of hostilities in July of 1944. Some were used by the local police after the war but were soon replaced by more modern firearms and were put into storage on the island. A copy of this gun’s serial number and shipping records from Saipan to West Virginia are included. This gun would have been in the hands of U.S. Forces, local guerillas or the Japanese until surrendered at the battles end where it resided until recently sold. This history and all letters are included with this gun. CONDITION: Overall age freckling over original finish. The magazine is stamped S for Scovill. The bore is clean. A well-documented World War II Colt used in Saipan against the Japanese Army. According to records, this is the only Colt that was in the CNMI Armory, making it a very historical World War II Colt with complete documentation. TDW