December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
During World War II, the Office of Strategic Services, precursor to the modern CIA and operator of various espionage activities, desired a reliable silenced handgun for their agents to use in covert situations. By the start of 1943, a contract was awarded to Bell Telephone Laboratories, a division of Western Electric, and, with just 3 weeks of development, a prototype was delivered to the OSS for testing. Hi-Standard Model H-D pistols were selected as the host gun, a first order of 1500 placed by the OSS in November 1943. In total, over 3 contracts, 2,620 of these silenced "MS" pistols were produced. In addition to the OSS, these pistols found favor with the storied Alamo Scouts and ranking officers Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur. Even legendary U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers was found with an MS after being shot down by Soviets in 1960. This example falls squarely in the known serial number range (110074 - 130040) and was mostly likely part of the first contract delivered between January and March of 1944, finished in brushed blue rather than being parkerized. The 7 - 3/4" integral suppressor is matte finished and is fit with a reverse ramped blade front sight. Marked only "4 / 4" on the underside, the Form 4 manufacturer block reads "Bell Laboratory Design / Manufactured for High Standard". Pistol is marked on the left with standard manufacturer information. The right bears a "PROPERTY OF / U.S." stamp over an ordnance wheel. Grips are 2-piece checkered walnut. PROVENANCE: From the personal and advanced collection of Dr. Jim Watson of Scottsdale, Arizona. CONDITION: Excellent. Suppressor retains virtually all of its original finishes. Pistol has silvering along the high edges, very light thinning on the grip straps, and scattered handling marks. Grips are sharply checkered with only a few flattened diamonds. Bore is very fine, quite possibly unfired since leaving the factory. Mechanically fine. A truly outstanding example of a very interesting and hard to find WWII spy gun. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4.
Manufacturer
(S) Bell Laboratory Design (G) Hi-Standard
Serial Number
(S) 44 (G) 117789