April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
According to factory letter USMC Number 745 revolver, serial number 553, was shipped to the United States Government Assistant Quartermaster United States Marine Corp, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 10th, 1907, in a shipment of 100 guns. These rare revolvers, one of only 926, were built on the Army/Navy swing out frame. Has special Marine Corps round butt, special diamond checkered walnut grips, butt stamped "USMC NO 745". Last patent date on barrel is March 5th, 1895. These are amongst the most sought after Marine Corp weapons and due to the hard service, very few are ever offered for public sale. This example is in exceptional shape for one of these guns. CONDITION: Barrel retains 30-40% of the original factory commercial type finish, blending with soft grey patina and razor sharp markings. Frame and cylinder retain between 75-80% of the factory bright blue with some usual handling marks and some spotting, mainly on right side of frame. Screws and back of hammer retain generous amounts of fire blue. Straps are soft grey patina. Original lanyard loop is intact. Action indexes and locks up perfectly. Near mint bore. Colt only produced two special Marine marked handguns after the turn of the 20th century - the 1905 and the 1909. No other weapons were specifically marked for the Marines. There were a series of Colt 1911 Models in a specific serial block shipped to the marines but they were not marked USMC. That makes these guns especially desirable amongst collectors of Marine weaponry.
Caliber/Bore
.38 Long Colt