April 27-30, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/27/2021
Manufactured in August 1916 as per factory letter from Colt. Russia funneled most of the purchases through Britain, which were marked in Cyrillic on the dust cover, as this example is, roughly translated approximately as "ENGLISH MAKE". Half-moon front sight, U notch flat top rear sight. 2 line 2 block patent dates and Colt information on left side of slide, Rampant Colt at rear of slide. Right side with "COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 45". Frame with "GOVERNMENT MODEL / C 52230". Checkered spur hammer, left side only safety with thick tab, slide release with relief mill cut, and magazine release. Short 1911 grip safety, flat smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop. 2 piece truncated diamond walnut grips. 2 tone magazine with lanyard loop. These rare guns were shipped into Murmansk and Archangel before distribution to Russian forces; beyond that little of their history is known, however, there is one account that a 1911 was used to kill the Romanovs. Also accompanied by a Colt factory letter listing this pistol by serial number as being shipped to Russia August 3rd, 1916. CONDITION: Good as restored with a complete refinishing of the gun with fine pitting visibly throughout, and some deeper pits in a few areas. Retains the vast majority of the restored blue finish with a few spots of silvering and some handling marks. Magazine is very good as also restored with pitting on left side. Grips are very good with no discernible cracks and heavily smoothened from use. Action works appropriately when cycled by hand, bore is good with visible rifling and heavy frosting. There is a small import mark on the magazine well indicating import by Simpson Ltd, Galesburg, IL. EW