GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
SPECTACULAR++ UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL EXP NO 9 PRESENTATION PISTOL MADE FOR GEORGE BLACKMORE PRESIDENT OF UNION SWITCH AND SIGNAL.UNION SWITCH SIGNAL1911A1945ACPMODERN; C&RCal. 45 auto. Spectacular++ Union Switch & Signal (US&S) EXP presentation pistol (1 of about 100). Buffed and DuLite blued. Only faintly less than new condition. The receivers of all EXP presentation guns usually had some sort of defect in them and were generally rejected military receivers often because of stripped stock screw bushings. Approximately 100 EXP presentation guns were made. Some were high polished, buffed and blued; some were blued over sandblasting. The sandblasted guns had sharp edges and were generally finished like military contract guns. This buffed and blued example is done very well, however the rear and front sights were not removed prior to buffing and the marks show. Inside accompanying orig box includes a Union Switch & Signal Company pocket leather notebook, along with the business card of George A. Blackmore, President of Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, PA and President of Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, PA. Also included is the Union Switch & Signal Company employee badge number "5596" and spare magazine in orig grease-paper wrap. Includes orig grease-paper wrap for pistol, as well as paper target marked "Model of 1911-A1 45 automatic pistol No. 9. Seven shots fired at 15 yards, tested by F. C. Smith". PROVENANCE: Formerly of the Edward S. Meadows Collection. CONDITION: US&S Company EXP NO 9 (E not visible, but under stock). Overall 99% heavily buffed and blued finish, all correct as a blued EXP presentation pistol; pistol appears exactly as other observed blued EXP pistols but this example is in spectacular condition. Slide stop could not be removed using normal hand pressure. Bore bright and shiny. Buffed DuLite finish. Bright blued trigger, checkered hammer, thumb safety, and slide-stop. Bbl bushing has concentric rings. Excellent+ Keyes Fiber stocks. Escutcheon rings around screws. All edges crisp and moderately sharp, despite the buffing. Only the faintest shadow of a takedown scratch. Fully blued (S) Scovill made contract magazine. As a presentation gun, no proof marks were required, but slide is "P" proofed off to the left ahead of rear sight, adding credence to the theory that these pistols used rejected military slides and receivers. The receiver is not proof marked, but the slide is. Accompanying orig cardboard box marked "No 9". Also included is a test target in nice, clear, readable condition. A spectacular example of a buffed and blued Union Switch & Signal presentation gun documented to the President of Union Switch & Signal. With documentation, orig box, and Meadows hang tag. Fired only a few times. 51033-80 KXK (12,000-30,000)