*IDENTIFIED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1911 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY PISTOL.

Revised: 9/11/2009

Additional Information: Transcription of the taped conversation with Phyllis Baum, Fred Gurdes’ step-daughter. Ms. Baum states that Mr. Gurdes enlisted in the army in Chicago in 1918 and reported to Camp Dick Texas for pilot training on June 3, 1918 and subsequently graduated from the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, FL. He apparently was on a ship on it’s way to Europe when the armistice was signed so they returned to the US and they sent him home. He was honorable discharged, returned to Illinois and enlisted in the reserve, later resigning his commission. She stated that when her mother died, she found Mr. Gurdes’ papers and this pistol in a box among her mother’s things and sold it to “Fritz”, one of her employees. Ms. Baum states that Mr. Gurdes maintained his pilots license for a number of years and was a contract employee to the FAA overseeing contract specifications for airports in a 7 state area and maintained his affiliation with the FAA into the 1960s. She states that Mr. Gurdes was working up until at least age 75 and he drove back and forth from Burlington, WI to Chicago, IL, an 86 mile trip. Ms. Baum also states that in order for the FAA to keep him on, they had to classify him as a consultant. Mr. Gurdes was also an electrical engineer and helped install street lights and electrical systems in several of the Chicago suburbs. The gentleman interviewing Ms. Baum, asks about the German medal which he had translated as “Given by the German and Austro-Hungarian Aid Society”. Ms. Baum replied that it was certainly possible as Mr. Gurdes’ father was second generation German and that somewhere in the late 1800s the name had been mistakenly changed from Geerdes to Gurdes.

*IDENTIFIED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1911 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY PISTOL. SN 80535. Cal. 45 ACP. High condition Springfield 1911 from the first Springfield contract which was awarded in 1914. It has usual configuration with 5″ bbl, fixed sights, usual slide markings with the flaming bomb on the left rear end and American eagle on the right side. Frame has the Springfield flaming bomb on the left side just above the magazine release and it has “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the left forward side. Mounted with diamond checkered walnut grips. The slide lock & bbl have small “S” proofs. Bbl bushing is not marked and may be a period of use replacement. Further disassembly was not effected to check for other “s” marked parts. Hammer is of the long spur type with short spur grip safety and straight smooth mainspring housing. Magazine is the early Springfield type with folded base & lanyard loop with a copper pad on the top rear. This pistol was the property of Fred Gurdes, a WWI aviator. Also accompanied by a photograph of a WWI aviator in leather helmet & jacket with fur rimmed goggles which is noted on the back “FRED GURDES / NOV 1918”. Additionally accompanied by a rare half wing with American shield that has “US” superimposed on bottom half. Further accompanied by a WWI Victory Medal and a small iron cross that has the images of Kaiser Wilhelm and another emperor over the date “1915”. The back has the hand scratched date “10/3/15” with an inscription in German, probably an association or meeting medal. And finally accompanied by a miniature cassette dated 10-17-93 with the note “Conversation w/Phyllis Baum – Fred Gurdes’ step-daughter”. (Note: Insert notes from tape)Additionally accompanied by a book from “U.S.Air Force Museum”. PROVENANCE: Peter Wainwright Collection. CONDITION: Pistol is extraordinarily fine, near new. Retains virtually all of its fine orig Springfield satin blue finish with only slight muzzle edge wear and some faint sharp edge wear. The area of the slide around the front sight is somewhat dull. Grips are crisp showing very light diamond point wear. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Magazine is very fine. Photograph and other accompaniments are also fine. 4-38218 JR108 (6,000-10,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1067	$6,900.00	Revised: 9/11/2009 Additional Information: Transcription of the taped conversation with Phyllis Baum, Fred Gurdes’ step-daughter. Ms. Baum states that Mr. Gurdes enlisted in the army in Chicago in 1918 and reported to Camp Dick Texas for pilot training on June 3, 1918 and subsequently graduated from the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, FL. He apparently was on a ship on it’s way to Europe when the armistice was signed so they returned to the US and they sent him home. He was honorable discharged, returned to Illinois and enlisted in the reserve, later resigning his commission. She stated that when her mother died, she found Mr. Gurdes’ papers and this pistol in a box among her mother’s things and sold it to “Fritz”, one of her employees. Ms. Baum states that Mr. Gurdes maintained his pilots license for a number of years and was a contract employee to the FAA overseeing contract specifications for airports in a 7 state area and maintained his affiliation with the FAA into the 1960s. She states that Mr. Gurdes was working up until at least age 75 and he drove back and forth from Burlington, WI to Chicago, IL, an 86 mile trip. Ms. Baum also states that in order for the FAA to keep him on, they had to classify him as a consultant. Mr. Gurdes was also an electrical engineer and helped install street lights and electrical systems in several of the Chicago suburbs. The gentleman interviewing Ms. Baum, asks about the German medal which he had translated as “Given by the German and Austro-Hungarian Aid Society”. Ms. Baum replied that it was certainly possible as Mr. Gurdes’ father was second generation German and that somewhere in the late 1800s the name had been mistakenly changed from Geerdes to Gurdes. IDENTIFIED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1911 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY PISTOL. SN 80535. Cal. 45 ACP. High condition Springfield 1911 from the first Springfield contract which was awarded in 1914. It has usual configuration with 5″ bbl, fixed sights, usual slide markings with the flaming bomb on the left rear end and American eagle on the right side. Frame has the Springfield flaming bomb on the left side just above the magazine release and it has “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the left forward side. Mounted with diamond checkered walnut grips. The slide lock & bbl have small “S” proofs. Bbl bushing is not marked and may be a period of use replacement. Further disassembly was not effected to check for other “s” marked parts. Hammer is of the long spur type with short spur grip safety and straight smooth mainspring housing. Magazine is the early Springfield type with folded base & lanyard loop with a copper pad on the top rear. This pistol was the property of Fred Gurdes, a WWI aviator. Also accompanied by a photograph of a WWI aviator in leather helmet & jacket with fur rimmed goggles which is noted on the back “FRED GURDES / NOV 1918”. Additionally accompanied by a rare half wing with American shield that has “US” superimposed on bottom half. Further accompanied by a WWI Victory Medal and a small iron cross that has the images of Kaiser Wilhelm and another emperor over the date “1915”. The back has the hand scratched date “10/3/15” with an inscription in German, probably an association or meeting medal. And finally accompanied by a miniature cassette dated 10-17-93 with the note “Conversation w/Phyllis Baum – Fred Gurdes’ step-daughter”. (Note: Insert notes from tape)Additionally accompanied by a book from “U.S.Air Force Museum”. PROVENANCE: Peter Wainwright Collection. CONDITION: Pistol is extraordinarily fine, near new. Retains virtually all of its fine orig Springfield satin blue finish with only slight muzzle edge wear and some faint sharp edge wear. The area of the slide around the front sight is somewhat dull. Grips are crisp showing very light diamond point wear. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Magazine is very fine. Photograph and other accompaniments are also fine. 4-38218 JR108 (6,000-10,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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