GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EXTREMELY RARE SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 1911 2ND TYPE GALLERY PRACTICE PISTOL. SPRINGFIELD 1911 131301 22LR MODERN; C&R Cal. 22LR. One of only 25 produced at Springfield Armory in 1919 for pistol practice with less expensive ammunition. Based on a design submitted by J.H. Carl and modified through trials conducted by the likes of Col. Julian L. Hatcher, it consists of a Colt-type 1911 frame, flat mainspring housing and standard features for the group of spare receivers the frame came from and double diamond checkered walnut grips. Left front side of frame has "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" in Gothic font. Right side of the frame has the SN in the usual place and has no inspection marks on the trigger guard bow as should be with the serial range receiver. The conversion unit somewhat resembles a 1911 slide with integral fixed bbl and fixed sights. It has an enclosed bolt with dual checkered grasping knobs on each side and ejection port on right side. Slide is tapered with deep, tapered lightning grooves on each side. This was done to keep the balance approx. the same as a 1911 pistol. R side of slide is marked with a Springfield eagle. The bolt number "2" is on left side, visible through the grasping groove port. A trapezoidal cut in the bottom middle of the slide has been expertly brased with a well fitting plug on both sides. Accompanied by an orig Type-2 magazine with heavy 22 Long Rifle Cal. insert in a cut down regular 1911 magazine body that has been altered by having a recess stamped in one side for the loading assist button and the top edges crimped to hold the insert. Cal. 22 LR. The insert is further secured with 2 pins near the bottom of the magazine. The chart on p. 449 of Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920, Meadows, does not list this pistol. Dr. Meadows in later discussion, states that the mixed numbers undoubtedly resulted from being mixed during the numerous returns to the Armory for alteration to correct malfunctions. These pistols were first issued for testing in Sept. 1919 and over the ensuing 4-1/2 years were issued to the Infantry School o Arms at Camp Benning, GA and the Cavalry Board at Ft. Riley, KS. Over several tests in these years the pistols were deemed unsuitable for a variety of reasons and were withdrawn from testing in favor of the Ace Model pistol that was being developed by Colt Mfg. Finally in Aug. 1938 authority was granted to dispose of the 25 pistols. Dr. Meadows states "It is assumed that the pistols were cannibalized for usable parts, as was the custom, and the non-standard or un-serviceable parts disposed of." It is unknown how many of these pistols actually survived, but only a handful are known. PROVENANCE: Transcripts from Springfield Armory Museum website records documenting the developmental stages of this prototype design from 1914-1919 and the specs of the museum's reference example; The Frank H. Wheaton, III Collection. CONDITION: Excellent original condition, blue finish on frame with scattered spotting, slide has excellent Springfield rust blue finish with scattered spotting. Small area of pin-prick pitting on right side of slide. Magazine retains 85-90% strong orig blue with light wear. Grips show light to moderate wear with a few chipped diamonds. Perfect manual mechanics. Bright bore with sharp rifling. 51516-13 KXK (10,000-20,000)