GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
*EXTREMELY RARE SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 1911 2ND TYPE GALLERY PRACTICE PISTOL. SPRINGFIELD 1911 500781 22 MODERN; C&R Cal. 22 LR. One of only 25 produced at Springfield Armory in 1919 for 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. The conversion unit 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. Right side of slide is marked "U.S. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY NO 24". The "4" in this number is stamped horizontally. The bolt number "21" is on left side, visible through the grasping groove port mated to a Colt-type 1911 frame with flat mainspring housing and standard features with the small Springfield eagle on left side over "S12" and diamond checkered walnut grips. Left front side of frame appears to have had "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" reapplied over a dished area where the orig marking had been removed. Right side of frame has the lightly struck SN in the usual place and has an "S" in a circle on right front web of trigger guard. Accompanied by an orig Type 2 magazine with heavy 22 Long Rifle Cal. insert in a cut down 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 (SA Museum specimen is missing its mag). 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, lists this pistol, by SN, and shows that it was initially fitted with Springfield conversion #8. 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 of 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 Over several tests in these years the pistols were deemed unsuitable for a variety of reasons and were withdrawn from testing in favor of the Ace Model pistol that was being developed by Colt Mfg.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 Esteemed Collection Of Noted Expert And Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: Very good with dull blue, orig arsenal finish with scattered light surface spotting and one area of pin prick pitting on right side of slide. Magazine retains 60-70% strong orig blue with light wear. Grips show light to moderate wear with a few chipped diamonds. Mechanically fine. Bright bore with sharp rifling. 51568-21 LMA (6,500-9,500)