May 18, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
Model 1903 Hammerless semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Colt in 1908. The left side of the slide is stamped with Colt's patent and manufacturer information, with the encircled Rampant Colt logo present to the rear of the slide serrations. Right side of slide is stamped "AUTOMATIC COLT/ CALIBRE 32 RIMLESS SMOKELESS". Features include a blue finish, 3 - 3/4" barrel, barrel bushing, as well as 2-piece checkered hard rubber Colt grips. Attached to the frame is a wood Japanese surrender tag. Accompanying paperwork includes email correspondence indicating that the Japanese wood surrender tag may be that of Captain Hisashi Ohara, who was the Executive Officer on board the Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier Soryu. Documentation from an interrogation of Ohara in October of 1945 indicates Ohara was wounded at the time the Soryu was sunk during the Battle of Midway. This example is accompanied by a private purchase Japanese leather holster, manufactured by an unknown subcontractor. The top flap is secured by a single downward strap, sewn in the pattern of a star, with the front of the holster body bearing 2 ink-stamped Kanji characters just below the spare magazine cell and two imprints on flap possibly being Chrysanthemums. Also accompanying this pistol is a Colt factory letter, indicating that this pistol was sent in a shipment of 10 to Von Lengerke and Antoine in Chicago, Illinois on September 5, 1905. CONDITION: Metal components retain large amounts of their original factory-applied blue finish, exhibiting wear overall that shows through to grey and brown patinas. Bore shows inactive oxidation and good rifling throughout. Grips show some smoothing to the checkering but are otherwise fine. Holster exhibits age related cracking and areas of crazing overall but otherwise retains tight stitching overall.
Paperwork
Provenance, Factory Letter