*EXTREMELY RARE COLT MODEL 1911 SPECIAL ARMY SEMI-AUTO PISTOL.

*EXTREMELY RARE COLT MODEL 1911 SPECIAL ARMY SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. SN 8. Cal. 45 ACP. Exceedingly rare Colt pistol with only a total of 15 having been made in early 1911 for test trials. Pistol has all the appearances of a Model 1911 with 5″ bbl that has the two locking ribs on the top not having been cut all the way around as with the earlier Model 1910. Bbl is altogether unmarked on the top or sides of the lug but has a small “C” at the rear face of the bbl extension and on rear face of the bbl lug. Slide is marked on left side “PATENTED / APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902. DEC. 19. 1905.” and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” and has the rampant Colt in a circle at left rear end. Right side of slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT / CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. Frame is unmarked except for the SN on left side of frame just forward of the slide lock pin hole. Hammer has a long wide checkered spur with a short grip safety and straight spring housing with lanyard loop. Thumb safety, slide lock and spring tube are hand checkered. Trigger, hammer, thumb safety & slide lock are all high polished fire blued as are the grip screws and right end of the magazine latch. Magazine latch is 1st type with dimpled lock. Trigger is smooth on its face. Pistol is mounted with small diamond checkered walnut grips that have a “T” stamped inside each grip. Accompanied by one all blue lanyard loop magazine with pinned base. This small group of pistols was produced by Colt for the test trials of 1911. It isn’t clear exactly which pistols were actually used in the test trials or, if in fact, all 15 of them were used. According to U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920, Meadows, this pistol, SN “8”, was sent by Colt to the Ordnance Dept. destined for Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood. Serial number “7” was shipped to Gen. William Crozier, Chief of Ordnance and SN “9” was intended for Secretary of War Dickinson. Apparently Gen. Wood & Secretary Dickinson declined serial numbers “8” & “9”, which were then resold to Albert Foster, Jr. in July 1911. This rare pistol and the other surviving pistols from that first production run are directly responsible for the adoption of the venerable Model 1911 which, in one form or another, is still being produced today and, in some areas of the world, is still being used by military forces. The opportunity to own such a historic firearm rarely ever presents itself and then for only a fleeting moment. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains virtually all of a spectacular professionally restored finish with strong bright blue on slide, frame, bbl & magazine and brilliant fire blue on the trigger, thumb safety, hammer & slide lock. Grips are new manufactured with small diamonds. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-42612 JR125 (25,000-35,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

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
	1151	$20,700.00	EXTREMELY RARE COLT MODEL 1911 SPECIAL ARMY SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. SN 8. Cal. 45 ACP. Exceedingly rare Colt pistol with only a total of 15 having been made in early 1911 for test trials. Pistol has all the appearances of a Model 1911 with 5″ bbl that has the two locking ribs on the top not having been cut all the way around as with the earlier Model 1910. Bbl is altogether unmarked on the top or sides of the lug but has a small “C” at the rear face of the bbl extension and on rear face of the bbl lug. Slide is marked on left side “PATENTED / APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902. DEC. 19. 1905.” and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” and has the rampant Colt in a circle at left rear end. Right side of slide is marked “AUTOMATIC COLT / CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS”. Frame is unmarked except for the SN on left side of frame just forward of the slide lock pin hole. Hammer has a long wide checkered spur with a short grip safety and straight spring housing with lanyard loop. Thumb safety, slide lock and spring tube are hand checkered. Trigger, hammer, thumb safety & slide lock are all high polished fire blued as are the grip screws and right end of the magazine latch. Magazine latch is 1st type with dimpled lock. Trigger is smooth on its face. Pistol is mounted with small diamond checkered walnut grips that have a “T” stamped inside each grip. Accompanied by one all blue lanyard loop magazine with pinned base. This small group of pistols was produced by Colt for the test trials of 1911. It isn’t clear exactly which pistols were actually used in the test trials or, if in fact, all 15 of them were used. According to U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920, Meadows, this pistol, SN “8”, was sent by Colt to the Ordnance Dept. destined for Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood. Serial number “7” was shipped to Gen. William Crozier, Chief of Ordnance and SN “9” was intended for Secretary of War Dickinson. Apparently Gen. Wood & Secretary Dickinson declined serial numbers “8” & “9”, which were then resold to Albert Foster, Jr. in July 1911. This rare pistol and the other surviving pistols from that first production run are directly responsible for the adoption of the venerable Model 1911 which, in one form or another, is still being produced today and, in some areas of the world, is still being used by military forces. The opportunity to own such a historic firearm rarely ever presents itself and then for only a fleeting moment. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains virtually all of a spectacular professionally restored finish with strong bright blue on slide, frame, bbl & magazine and brilliant fire blue on the trigger, thumb safety, hammer & slide lock. Grips are new manufactured with small diamonds. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-42612 JR125 (25,000-35,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 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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