May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2024
Per the included factory letter, this pistol shipped on March 13th, 1939, in a shipment of 164 guns to the Commanding Officer at Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, as .22 caliber blued guns with 5" barrels and unlisted stocks. Tall serrated ramp front sight, Stevens adjustable rear sight. Left side of slide with 2-line 1-block patent and address information, with rampant Colt at rear. Right side of side has Service Model Ace rollmark. Slide has correct matching serial numbers under the firing pin retaining plate. Proofs include "P" and "VP" proofs on left side of trigger guard, "60" on right side. SM prefix serial number on frame. Small parts comprise spurred checkered hammer, checkered thick tab safety, checkered slide release, short checkered trigger, checkered magazine release, long A1 grip safety, and arched knurled mainspring housing. Grips are fully checkered walnut, magazine is a fully blued magazine with "straight down" loading assist. PROVENANCE: From the personal and advanced collection of Dr. Jim Watson of Scottsdale, Arizona. CONDITION: Good, retaining the majority of the factory bluing with scratches throughout the entirety of the gun from handling and use, some silvering, including a takedown mark; most scratching visible along slide. Distension is visible about proofs from the application of the stamp. Some silvering visible at high edges and reciprocating areas. Straps have larger concentrations on gunmetal grey, perhaps as much as 60% on the front strap, balance blued and accented with cold blue, while rear strap has blue primarily on protected area and on sides. Mechanically fine, bore is good with strong rifling.