December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
Per the included factory letter, this pistol shipped as a 5" .45 ACP with blued finish, factory checkered ivory stocks with "C"'s on each scale, factory engraved "Presented by Harvard Regiment to Contant [sic] Cordier May 30, 1916", and shipped to Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Company, Boston, Massachusetts in a shipment of 2; Contant in the letter likely a typo, as research indicates the correct spelling is Constant, as is on pistol. Constant Cordier was the commander of the Harvard Regiment, which was a forerunner of the ROTC program. Per an included letter from the Harvard University Archives, the pistol is one of a pair presented to Cordier by University President Lowell on behalf of the Harvard Regiment, accompanied by a sword, for an exhibition that included a review by Major General Leonard Wood. Cordier died February 24th, 1940, in Mineola, New York. Classic configuration and as shipped, with left side of slide engraved per letter and relevant Colt information moved to right side. White infill has been used to highlight legends. Small parts comprise checkered hammer, thick tab safety with milled relief cut, checkered slide release with milled relief cut, long smooth trigger, checkered magazine release, short 1911 grip safety, and smooth flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop. Discretely import marked at the magazine well for Simpson. CONDITION: Very good as refinished, the legends somewhat thinned and edges softened by refinished. Rear sight likely a replacement, as the color is ever so off, witness marks are off, and has evidence of installation with a punch on left side. Stocks with age patina but clearly visible C and checkering. Mechanically fine, bore with strong rifling and scattered darkness. Front sight missing, bushing poorly fit. An interesting and important gun with ties to a prestigious university.