February 5, 6, & 7, 2019 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/6/2019
This was a target pistol ordered by the US military for training purposes in 1941. Military model differs from the commercial model only in the use of monogram brown plastic grips versus wood and the US inspector stamp, left side has Ordnance wheel and right side has the initials "GHD" for Guy Dewey. Features target adjustable rear sight and target front sight. Left side of barrel has the "MATCH TARGET" stamp with target. CONDITION: This gun was used as evidenced by the overall high edge wear and muzzle wear. Grips straps have turned grey patina. Overall, still retains 80% original factory high polish blue finish. According to the book "US Military Match and Marksmanship Automatic Pistols", several of the military service branches acquired more than 3,900 of the Bullseye Match Target pistol. Examples of early military contracts include the inspector "GHD", the Ordnance Corp escutcheon stamp (crossed cannons), and have the plastic grips panels. All of the military contract Bullseye pistols will have brown plastic grips. The earliest contracts were awarded in 1943 to the Chief of Ordnance. This pistol was one of 21 shipped to the Ordnance on February 12th, 1942 and delivered via Shapleigh Hardware of St. Louis. A very desirable US military target pistol, one of the earliest shipments known with all early features.