November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
Manufactured 1916. Factory letter states this gun was sent to Powell & Clement Company on January 8th, 1916 in a shipment of eight guns. All proper-era features to include barrel integral front lug, second style rounded rear sight, diamond checkered slide lock, serrated magazine release, first style seven view hole pin high polish base magazine, fourth style hard rubber grips (page 20), second style barrel bushing (page 20, middle picture), blued finish. No serial number on slide (was not in use at time). Post-1914 right slide stamp, Type B left slide stamp (figure D, page 16), first style verified proof used from 1905 to 1916, fourth style takedown arrow (page 17), left rear standing pony with no circle. Retains 70% of original blue with age freckling on forward area and on slide from sitting in holster. Grip safety is a brown patina. Front grip strap has 50% of original blue. Excellent grips, and fine bore. The first recorded orders of American guns were sent to Japan in 1878-1879. According to the book "Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893 to 1945", these purchases were from private Japanese officers. Holster is stamped on face with a mum (rosette) on body and flap, has a model stamp "AF/04" on back, and resembles the influence of the Colt .45 holster. Holster is missing one rear rivet, has a small tear on upper flap and the tab is torn. We can find no Japanese proofs on the gun nor the holster, so we are taking the owner's word on Japanese attribution. It is a well-known fact that Japanese officers purchased their own pistols and these were half the price of Baby Nambus at the time. From observation, according to the book "Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns" page 282, "The large quantity of Japanese manufactured holsters to accommodate them, it appears the 1910 Mauser, DWM and 1903 Colt, all in 7.65mm, were favorites as officers desired a small unobtrusive sidearm."