*RARE EARLY COLT MODEL 1911 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY PISTOL.

*RARE EARLY COLT MODEL 1911 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY PISTOL. SN 305. Cal. 45 ACP. Usual configuration with 5″ bbl that is completely unmarked and without proof marks. Slide has a slightly altered orig thin front sight and rnd top, V-notch rear sight. Left side of slide has usual markings with last patent date “1911” and has the rampant Colt in a broken circle at left rear. Right side of slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY”. Forward left side of frame has usual “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” marking and “WGP” (Maj. Walter G. Penfield) inspector initials. Right forward side of frame has SN. Magazine release has the early style, orig dimpled end and it is mounted with diamond checkered walnut grips. Magazine is a WWII style “L” code replacement. This pistol was part of the first 500-gun contract for the U.S. Army and has the early commercial style bright blue finish. The bbl is probably correct to this pistol as it also has bright blue on the forward half of outer diameter. Firing pin retainer is the early type with rounded edge and rear of slide at the top of firing pin retainer slot is marked with a tiny “H”. The top of frame is stamped with a tiny “H” and a “1” just above the disconnector hole which, according to information found on p. 168 of U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894 – 1920, Meadows, did not occur until approx. SN 400. Hammer, thumb safety, grip safety, main spring housing and main spring housing pin are of the very earliest types. Slide lock is apparently orig to this pistol with high polish blue finish & machine cut checkering. Recoil spring plug is also of the early type without a punched lug. Bbl bushing is also early style with high polish blue on the face and the grip screws are of the early thin-head style. These early 1911s are simply very rare and to find one in near 100% orig condition is a great rarity. It appears the only visible non-orig parts are the magazine & recoil spring guide. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall appears to be orig except as noted above, no internal disassembly was affected to check for additional early orig parts. Slide retains 80-85% glossy orig blue with muzzle & sharp edge wear with some minor flaking on bottom of spring bump. Sight is altered as noted. Frame retains 90%+ glossy orig blue with some slight thinning to front strap and minor sharp edge wear and a small scrape on each side of forward part of frame. Grip safety retains thin orig blue and the flat main spring housing is a blue/gray patina. Grips show light to moderate wear with a few flattened diamonds and are completely sound. Bbl retains about 75% glossy orig blue with some minor wear from bushing and a small gouge on right side. Mechanics are fine, very bright shiny bore. Replacement magazine has several rough spots. 4-40462 JR44 (4,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

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
	1065	$9,487.50	RARE EARLY COLT MODEL 1911 SEMI-AUTO MILITARY PISTOL. SN 305. Cal. 45 ACP. Usual configuration with 5″ bbl that is completely unmarked and without proof marks. Slide has a slightly altered orig thin front sight and rnd top, V-notch rear sight. Left side of slide has usual markings with last patent date “1911” and has the rampant Colt in a broken circle at left rear. Right side of slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY”. Forward left side of frame has usual “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” marking and “WGP” (Maj. Walter G. Penfield) inspector initials. Right forward side of frame has SN. Magazine release has the early style, orig dimpled end and it is mounted with diamond checkered walnut grips. Magazine is a WWII style “L” code replacement. This pistol was part of the first 500-gun contract for the U.S. Army and has the early commercial style bright blue finish. The bbl is probably correct to this pistol as it also has bright blue on the forward half of outer diameter. Firing pin retainer is the early type with rounded edge and rear of slide at the top of firing pin retainer slot is marked with a tiny “H”. The top of frame is stamped with a tiny “H” and a “1” just above the disconnector hole which, according to information found on p. 168 of U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894 – 1920, Meadows, did not occur until approx. SN 400. Hammer, thumb safety, grip safety, main spring housing and main spring housing pin are of the very earliest types. Slide lock is apparently orig to this pistol with high polish blue finish & machine cut checkering. Recoil spring plug is also of the early type without a punched lug. Bbl bushing is also early style with high polish blue on the face and the grip screws are of the early thin-head style. These early 1911s are simply very rare and to find one in near 100% orig condition is a great rarity. It appears the only visible non-orig parts are the magazine & recoil spring guide. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall appears to be orig except as noted above, no internal disassembly was affected to check for additional early orig parts. Slide retains 80-85% glossy orig blue with muzzle & sharp edge wear with some minor flaking on bottom of spring bump. Sight is altered as noted. Frame retains 90%+ glossy orig blue with some slight thinning to front strap and minor sharp edge wear and a small scrape on each side of forward part of frame. Grip safety retains thin orig blue and the flat main spring housing is a blue/gray patina. Grips show light to moderate wear with a few flattened diamonds and are completely sound. Bbl retains about 75% glossy orig blue with some minor wear from bushing and a small gouge on right side. Mechanics are fine, very bright shiny bore. Replacement magazine has several rough spots. 4-40462 JR44 (4,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 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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