May 18, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
Shipped June 13th, 1916 as per factory letter from Colt. Russia funneled most of the purchases through Britain, which were marked in Cyrillic on the dust cover; this gun is not marked as such and the letter indicates shipment straight to Russia. 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 42643". Left side of trigger guard with "b" subinspector proof and Colt's "VP" proof. 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. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter listing this pistol by serial number as being shipped to Russia June 13th, 1916. Front grip strap has an adhesive paper label reading "6275", meaning unknown. CONDITION: Very good, particularly considering that most of these pistols are found in heavily used condition. Retains approximately 40% of the factory blue finish. Slide has extensive silvering to high edges, top, and barrel hood, with strong areas of blue still present, primarily on slides and around sights. Frame retains stronger areas of blue, primarily around dust cover and trigger guard areas, with straps being gunmetal grey. One set of fingerprints is visible on the rear strap. Somewhat heavier than normally seen marks from handling and operation throughout, including takedown mark. Magazine is very good. Grips are very good with no discernible cracks. Mechanically fine, bore is very good with strong rifling and frosting throughout. There is a small import mark on the magazine well indicating import by Simpson Ltd, Galesburg, IL. EMW