May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2020
Manufactured 1916. Serial number C42455 was shipped to the Russian Government on June 13th, 1916 in an order of 5500 guns from Colt. These rare examples have never been imported in quantity with most surviving examples being in well worn to poor condition. According to author Joe Poyer, nearly 66,000 1911 pistols where contracted by Russia, with the London Agency receiving 51,000 of these and being marked in Cyrillic; 15,000 shipped directly by Colt with traditional markings in English. This being a Colt direct shipment and being the less common English marked variation. The Russian contract pistols have a mysterious history with some being used in the various Czarist military operations as well as after the Revolution and, in one account, used in the execution of the Czar and his family according to Charles Clawson. Serial number C42455 is accompanied by a factory Colt Archives letter verifying its configuration and shipment. CONDITION. Very good with over 75% factory blue finish remaining. The finish losses are mostly at grips straps and high points from holster carry. Bore is very good and action operates properly. Comes complete with two tone lanyard loop magazine. Left grip has a period chip at center rear and a deep exterior scratch in grips from screw removal. A very fine and very rare World War I contract 1911. A extremely small import marking on base of magazine well from Simpson Limited in Galesburg Il,. TDW