This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
This pair of 1911 and 1911A1 pistols belonged to Clifford Jones Sr. and his son, Clifford Jones Jr.. Clifford Sr. attended West Point in 1903 and graduated 27 of 93 before he was commissioned in the Artillery Corps, stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Fort Sill, and Vancouver Barracks before attending battery officers course, which he graduated from as a distinguished graduate. After graduating he served with 156th Coast Artillery Corps and the staff of the Commanding Officer, Artillery District of Portsmouth, before he returned to West Point in 1909 as an instructor. At West Point, Clifford taught in both the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Chemistry and Electricity, after which he commanded 75th Company Coast Artillery Corps, commissioned Battery Selfridge, and did several miscellaneous assignments up and down the West Coast. By 1917, he had been promoted to major and detailed to the General Staff Corps, and in February of 1918 reported for duty. He was appointed a colonel in September of that year, maintaining that position until he reverted to a Major in 1920. He received the Distinguished Service Medal for his time as part of the General Staff Corps, and was selected to attend the Army War College, from which he graduated in 1922. He continued to attend various schools and developed the Longitudinal Deviation Ruler, and married for a second time in 1929; his son from this marriage was Clifford Jr.. After his marriage, Clifford was sent to the Philippines as a G4 on the staff of the commander of the Philippine Department, where he also did inspection tours in China and Japan. In late 1932 he returned to the United States and stationed in Florida, where he was the Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the Harbor Defenses of Pensacola at Fort Barrancas. He was promoted to Colonel in 1934 and became Officer In Charge and Chief of Staff of various installations before retiring January 31st, 1944. Clifford Sr's gun is a standard Colt 1911, and a Colt factory letter indicates that it was shipped to the Benicia Arsenal in Benicia, California, 1914, in a shipment of 800. Half-moon front sight, U-notch flat top rear sight, left side of slide with 2-line 2-block patent and address information with an uncircled rampant Colt at rear, right side with "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY"; serif font throughout. "H" stamped at top of firing pin retaining plate channel (non-serif). Barrel with "PH" marked to be read with muzzle horizontal. Top of frame with "H" stamped near disconnector hole, 12 o'clock, and "b" at 1 o'clock. Right side of frame with serial number, left side with "WGP" proof for Penfield. Left side of dust cover with "UNITED STATES PROPERTY". Small parts comprise spurred hammer, relief mill cut slide release, thick tab safety with milled undercut, short M1911 grip safety, flat smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop, long trigger. 2-tone magazine with lanyard loop. Truncated diamond walnut grips. Clifford Sr's gun is also accompanied by related accoutrements, including a pair of spurs and a belt rig with a double magazine pouched marked "G.M.C. / JEFF. 1921 / H.E.K." on rear, a holster marked "ROCK ISLAND / ARSENAL / 1914 / T.C.C.", and a Meyers sword hanger. Following in his father's footsteps, Clifford Jones Jr. also attended West Point, reporting in July of 1951 and graduating in 1955 as 214 of 470, commissioned in the artillery. At this time he was also presented with this 1911 by his father as the last son of the 1903 class (although Cliff notes that technically Douglas MacArthur's son was younger than him, Arthur chose a non-military career and did not attend West Point). Cliff attended Field Artillery Officer Basic at Fort Sill, before additionally attending Airborne, Ranger, and Jumpmaster schools. He was assigned to 663rd Field Artillery in Okinawa, before moving to Korea in February 1958. In 1970 he became aide-de-camp to Major General Verdi B. Barnes, and was promoted to Captain. He continued his studies, including a graduate study in guided missile engineering, and receiving an MS in Mechanical Engineering. He volunteered for assignment in Viet Nam, where he served in the artillery for the 4th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands just after Tet. When he returned in the US he continued serving with the artillery and continued with several posts, notably the Systems Coordinator for the development of the 155mm laser guided Cannon Launched Guided Projectile, Project Manager for Selected Ammunition, and Director of Armament Systems at the Arms Armament Research and Development command, before he retired in 1983. His gun, which he mentions several times by serial number, is a standard Government Model with appropriate rollmarks, and an added trigger shoe. Colt letter indicates shipment January 24th, 1955 to Shapiro Distributors Company, MacArthur Ave - New Windsor, Newburgh, New York, in a shipment of 2 blued .45 caliber guns, with unlisted stocks. Magazine release has been polished on reverse. Accompanied by the original box with serial number on bottom, and containing a Colt pamphlet, adjustment tool, and extra bushing. CONDITION: Clifford Senior's gun is in very good condition, as would be expected of a gun that did not see much front-line combat. Retains the vast majority of the factory bluing with some scattered handling marks from handling and light use. Slide is excellent, with some crisp legends and some light silvering at high edges and reciprocating areas. 1 very small section of pitting on right side of slide near muzzle. Frame is very good with some minor flaking to brown and silvering at high edges. Straps are greyed out and retain traces of bluing on the flats where protected by the grips. Grips are very good, right scale has a few abraded heads and a 1/2" crack on right panel near magazine release. Mechanically fine, bore is very good with some light frosting at edges of grooves. Rig is excellent with supple leather that has normal scuffs and crazing from age. Shoulder sash threading has separated, but the sash is still strong. Spurs are good, leather is more heavily crazed and scuffed than belt, and German silver has scattered marks. 1 rowel does not spin. Clifford Jr's gun is also very good, although it shows more evidence of range use. Clifford Jr's gun also retains the vast majority of the factory bluing, with more light handling marks throughout than his father's gun, although there is significantly less high edge silvering. Frame is very good, although there are several silvering marks around grips, including normal takedown mark. Mechanically fine, bore is excellent with strong rifling and just a hint of frosting at grooves. Box is very good with some peeling at high edges due to age and a minor compression here and there, but strong. Accompanying this lot a plethora of provenance going through the story of these two pistols, including the 2 Colt factory letters, Obituaries for Clifford Senior and his father Homer, numerous photos that go back as far as 1901 depicting the Jones family, including military accomplishments and the presentation of Clifford Junior's Government Model. Finally, is 3 pieces of paperwork including a Registration of Privately Owned Firearms, a Pistol Toter's License for Gwinnett County, Georgia, and Firearm Registration Record for Clifford Junior, all for his father's 1911, by serial number. A fantastic lot. EMW
Accessories
(A) Holster rig, spurs (B) Colt Box
Caliber/Bore
(BOTH) .45 ACP
Model
(A) 1911 (B) Government
Serial Number
(A) 94472 (B) 270102-C