GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
FINE FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION PRE-WAR COLT ACE SEMI-AUTO PISTOL.COLTACE43722 LRMODERN; C&RCal. 22 LR. Beautiful civilian Ace with 4-3/4" bbl, thick half moon front sight and Steven's adjustable rear sight, probably from another pistol. Left side of slide has usual markings in two lines with Rampant Colt. Right side is marked "COLT ACE .22 LONG/RIFLE". It has long grip safety spur and checkered, arched, spring housing. Mounted with replacement diamond checkered walnut grips. Accompanied by one orig two-tone magazine with marked base plate. Also accompanied by a Colt Factory letter which identifies this pistol in cal 22 with 4-3/4" bbl, blue finish, type of stock not listed, sold to Alton Park Hardware Co., address not available and shipped to C.M. McClung and Co., Knoxville, TN on Jul. 1, 1931 in a one gun shipment. This pistol was manufactured in 1931 in the first few months of production. This model was intended to be an inexpensive target practice and plinking pistol to acclimate shooters to handling the government model pistols of larger caliber, for which ammunition was substantially more expensive. These pistols proved to be quite accurate and were adopted by many target shooters as serious target pistols. They were offered with both adjustable & fixed sights. PROVENANCE: The William Smith Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Slide retains approx 93-95% orig finish with most wear at the muzzle and along the high spots. Frame retains approx 95% of its orig finish with the exception of the front strap, which is thinning and is around 70%. Brilliant, bright shiny bore. Crisp mechanics 50600-4 FTL (4,000-5,000)