March 15-17, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/16/2022
Clawson notes that there are known series of pistols where Colt repurposed commercial guns for the war effort, peening out the Commercial information on the frames and restamping them appropriately. Half-moon front sight, U-notch rear sight, with "P" in front of rear sight. Right side of slide with "COLT // AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 45 // (PONY)", left side with 2-line 1-block patent and address information. Slide is correctly renumbered under the firing pin retaining plate to correct military numbering and has vacant slot for Swartz safety, removed when transferred into military use. Barrel marked "COLT 45 AUTO" on lower left side of chamber, "P" on left lug, "G" in front. Top of frame bridle with "S" and vacant hole for frame portion of Swartz safety; "S" partially bifurcated by Swartz safety hole. Left side with "G.H.D" proof above finger clearance cuts, "P" proof near magazine release. Right side with "UNITED STATES PROPERTY", serial number, and "M1911A1 U.S.ARMY". Distinct areas of distress visible where commercial markings on frame were removed by Colt. Checkered spurred hammer, safety, magazine release, slide stop. Long 1911A1 grip safety, arched knurled mainspring housing with lanyard loop. Full blue magazine with dual pinned base marked "1578" on baseplate. Coltwood grips with internal reinforcing ribs and thick rings. CONDITION: Very Good. Retaining nearly all of the parkerized finish with some minor marks from handling from use. Slight silvering near the slide release but it does not go down into the finger clearance cut like a takedown mark, may be from improper disassembly. Some minor silvering to high edges. Trigger guard has a minor spot of oxidation. Mechanically fine, bore is good with strong rifling and some light frosting at edges of lands. A good example. EW