GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
SCARCE EARLY COLT MODEL 1911 SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL WITH WWI MILLS CANVAS ACCESSORIESCOLT19113537545 ACPMODERN; C&RCal. 45 ACP. Early 1911 with 5" bbl that has an "H" parallel to the bore and a "P" perpendicular to the bore. Slide has early markings with last patent date "1911" on left side and Rampant Colt at left rear end. Right side has Army markings and it has orig fixed sights with thin front blade and round top, U-notch rear sight. Left forward side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and has the "WGP" (Maj. Walter G. Penfield) inspector initials above the magazine release. Mounted with diamond checkered walnut grips. Accompanied by an orig Mills brass tipped canvas swivel holster that has an extra web belt drop extender; a Mills WWI canvas web belt with brass furniture; a 1918 dated Mills canvas double mag pouch containing 2 additional 2-tone lanyard loop magazines & the very rare paper instruction sheet on preventing rust forming on magazine while in the pouch; an orig WWI Mills braided cotton & brass lanyard and a model 1917 plumb Bolo Machete dated 1918 with orig canvas & leather scabbard. Also accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this pistol in Cal .45 with 5" bbl, blue finish, type of stocks not listed and shipped to Springfield Armory, June 17, 1913,in a 500 gun shipment. Consignor stated it took him several years to accumulate all of these accessories in like new condition as found here. This pistol was part of the first military contract of 1913 which were almost universally issued to Cavalry Units. They remained in service through the border skirmishes of the American Southwest, WWI, WWII, Korea and Viet Nam, remaining in service well into the 1970's or later until replaced by the Beretta 9mm pistol. After being retired the majority of these pistols were either sold to foreign governments or to private citizens through the NRA/DCM (Division of Civilian Marksmanship). A great majority of these pistols were converted into target configuration with few remaining completely orig. In addition, a great number of those pistols were Arsenal refinished before being re-sold. Therefore finding one in completely orig configuration with orig finish is somewhat a rarity. Frankford Arsenal packet of "20 Pistol Ball Cartridges, Cal. .45, Model of 1911. For Automatic Pistol Model 1911." In excellent condition, in full form, unopened and both of the fabric pull tabs are intact and present. The label is present, slightly faded, but clearly legible. PROVENANCE: The William Smith Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all original. Slide retains about 95% glossy orig charcoal blue with some slight thinning around ejection port & a few light scratches on top. Frame retains about 90% glossy orig blue, thin on front strap & spring housing, strong & bright elsewhere. Grips show very light wear with one or two chipped diamonds. Bbl retains about 75% orig blue with bright shiny bore. Magazine retains about 85% of orig blue with dull white section. Mechanics are crisp. A hard to find pistol in hard to find condition. Other two spare magazines show heavy wear with one cleaned to bright metal. All of the canvas gear and Machete appear to be new and unused. 50600-3 FTL (10,000-15,000)