GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
IMPORTANT COLT 1911A1 ARMY MARKED PISTOL WITH CONNECTION TO GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON.COLT1911 A185075045MODERN; C&R(1943) Cal. 45 ACP 5" bbl. Left slide markings has Colt's standard 1913 last patent date followed by Rampant Colt and Colt's standard Hartford address. Front sight is thin and rounded, rear sight is flat with rounded notch. "P" marked in front of rear sight. Receiver marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/SN". Ordnance stamp to rear of right side marked "M1911 A1 U.S.ARMY" in front of slide stop hole. Short milled checkered trigger. Slide stop is 1911 type without recess cut under checkering. Hammer is wide spur 1911 A1 type. Thumb safety is late checkered 1911 A1 type. Grip safety has long tang. Main spring housing is checkered with Colt pattern checkering. Stocks appear to be made of some type of antler. Stock screws show some degradation in slots. Number under firing pin stop plate matches SN. Shadow on firing pin stop plate matches SN. Bbl is "COLT .45 AUTO" marked with small "G" ahead of lug. No mag present. Accompanied by a 1974 dated letter from Dr. B.P. Cardon who states that he acquired Colt 1911A1 #850750 from long-time friend Lt Col Alexander C. Stiller who served in Patton's original Tank Battalion in WWI and later as Patton's Aide and driver in Europe during WWII. Stiller maintained this pistol along with a special M-1 Garand with 2.5x scope and had these at they ready in Patton's staff car should he need them. After the war, Cardon and Stiller resumed their friendship and were active in the Army Reserves together in Tucson, AZ. Per Stiller's request, the Colt was given to Dr. Cardon by Stiller's wife after his passing in 1962. It was subsequently gifted to Patton admirer, Thomas L. Sezak in 1972, prior to its acquisition by Ray Bentley. PROVENANCE: The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Bore is frosted but may clean up some. Receiver bullet ramp shows patina and raw metal. Slide right shows wear on edges. Top of slide shows holster wear at muzzle. Slide left shows moderate holster wear at muzzle and beyond. Receiver right shows typical finish loss on SN from holster stud. Front grip strap and trigger guard shows moderate wear. Main spring housing thinning. Magazine catch lock shows significant damage. Portion of bbl visible through ejection port shows considerable loss of finish. Mechanics are crisp. Overall very good with 90% orig finish remaining. A very attractive gun with connection to General Patton. Correct replacement stocks should be easy to find. 53091-90 KXK (10,000-15,000)