January 23rd 2016 Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
5" barrel in .45 ACP caliber. Manufactured 1944. Standard World War II issue Colt Model 1911 in an original military craft box. Box is stamped on back in red with the date of November '44. Serial number is stamped on the face. It has been reinforced twice with aged tape. Gun is all original with the following features: left side of frame has the "G.H.D." (Guy H. Drewry) as well as the proof "P"; right side of frame is stamped "United States Property M 1911 A1 U.S. Army"; left side of slide has the patent dates; right side is blank; has the phosphate finish of which 98% still remains with light high edge wear and drag line; with the distinctive 1/4" hardened appearance at face of slide. Other proper parts include short wide spur checkered hammer, checkered slide stop, checkered safety, checkered trigger, checkered magazine release, and serrated arched mainspring housing with brown Keyes grips with reinforcing rings. Ordnance wheel stamped on right side of frame. Blued barrel is stamped "Colt 45 Auto" with proof "P" on lug. In addition, this revolver is accompanied by all its original paperwork of its original owner, to include: the enlisted record of George Sonderschafer, who entered active service on April 16th, 1945 from Wilks-Barre, Pennsylvania, stationed in Manila from Oct. 15th 1945, to June 26th, 1946, holding the rank of Sargeant, occupation foreman construction. Decorations include Asiatic Pacific Theater ribbon and World War II Victory ribbon; a studio portrait of George; a leather binder with five service ribbons and Good Conduct medal; eight original photos taken by George to include a prison camp, dead soldiers, four photos of George with fellow soldiers, a construction site, and a bombed-out Manila village; also comes with a letter of provenance, attesting that this pistol was attained from George's son. The boxed Colt alone is worthy of a high-grade collection, and the documents and photographs, along with the history of this revolver during the second World War make it extremely desirable.