May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2020
Colt Commercial 1911 Government .45 pistol serial number C9935 shipped Oct 31st 1914 to Government of Canada in a group of 1000 pistols, according to Colt factory letter dated May 15, 2006. Blue finish with diamond pattern checkered walnut grips. Standard commercial configuration with short/wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, and flat mainspring housing. Engraved on mainspring housing is "W.A BISHOP LT.COLONEL". Col. Bishop, a Canadian Flying "Ace", was credited for the downing of 72 German aircraft during his service in World War I. Accompanying this pistol is the 1920 edition of "THE PEOPLE'S WAR BOOK AND ATLAS". This book is autographed by Col. Bishop himself on the frontispiece page. Page 376 has detailed interview with Bishop who explains his escapades and the downing of 25 German Aircraft in the last 12 days of the war. CONDITION: Good with over 60% of the factory blue finish remaining with losses at sides and edges from holster carry. The bore has strong rifling and darkness in the grooves. The engraving in the mainspring housing is crisp and legible. Book is good with a slightly loose spine and yellowed pages. This is a recently discovered 1911 from a collection in Canada and is fresh to the market. TDW
Accessories
Autographed Book
Model
Government Model 1911
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Provenance