GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
INSCRIBED COLT MODEL 1911 BLACK ARMY SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. COLT 1911 240869 45 ACP MODERN; C&R Cal. 45 ACP. Usual configuration with 5" bbl, that has "P" & "H" on the skirt parallel to the bore. Slide has usual markings with Rampant Colt at left rear. Right side of slide has standard 1911 U.S. Army markings and is engraved "L.S. GERBER". Left front side of frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and it has the "JMG" (Lt. Col. J. M. Gilbert) inspector initials above the magazine release button. Mounted with diamond checkered walnut grips and accompanied by one orig two-tone military magazine. This pistol was produced late in 1918 shortly before the war had ended. Very likely it would have been issued during that conflict. Regardless, these pistols remained in service through the 1920s and 1930s, through WWII, Korea & Viet Nam, well into the 1970s & 80s, until replaced by the Beretta 9mm. The brushed blue/black finish of these pistols is rather soft and easily worn with simple handling and carrying in a holster and are rarely found today with high orig finish. Once the 1911 was declared surplus, a large majority of them were sold either to foreign governments or to American sportsman through the DCM (Division of Civilian Marksmanship) / NRA. Most of those pistols sold to the American public were altered into target pistols, further reducing the number of remaining orig pistols. CONDITION: Very fine, plus. Slide shows light muzzle end wear and faint sharp edge wear with some scattered surface discoloration and a series of fine scratches on the top right in front of rear sight. There are also a couple of small dings in the right slide serrations. Front strap has three small nicks and the straight spring housing has a small spot of wear, otherwise frame retains about all of its orig factory finish. Grips are sound showing very light diamond point wear, a little heavier on the bottom right. Magazine in equally fine. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore, shows very little, if any use. 49432-149 JR (5,000-8,000)