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| OUTSTANDING & EXCEEDINGLY RARE 3 DIGIT SN, Colt, Model 1911- U....
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Item # 4611 |
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Guns
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lot has ended.
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| Item Price: |
$7350
(excludes shipping)
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Winner will be contacted shortly by Ward's Auctions
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| Winning Bid
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US $7350 |
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First bid
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$6000 |
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1 |
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# of bids |
4
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Auction has ended
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| Started |
2021-04-29 00:00:00 |
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| Ended |
2024-05-31 17:01:00 |
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| Seller assumes all responsibility for listing
this item. You should contact the seller to resolve any questions before bidding.
Auction currency is U.S. dollars (US $) unless otherwise noted. |
OUTSTANDING & EXCEEDINGLY RARE 3 DIGIT SN, Colt, Model 1911- U.S. ARMY, Cal. 45 ACP, Semi-Auto, Mfg. 1912, WWI era, SN: 397, 5'' barrel. This is a highly desirable, documented three digit numbered U.S. military contract, Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol. These very early 1912 production pistols have the early slide markings, nitre blue finish, early parts with the rare & very desirable early small serial number markings. Examination of internal parts shows that there are no markings on the barrel, which is consistent & exactly as it should be on a pistol in this serial number range. This pistol was shipped to the Commanding Officer of Springfield Armory on Feb. 15, 1912 in a shipment of 200 pistols. The pistol has the lustrous high polish Colt commercial blue finish with the nitre blue finish on the thumb safety, slide stop, hammer, trigger, mainspring cap & barrel bushing. By comparison, the high polish finish was replaced by the military ''dull finish'' blue at approximately SN 2400 on April 24, 1912. This pistol is fitted with checkered walnut grips. It has the desirable, early two-line, two-block Colt factory address & patent dates markings of ''PATENTED APR.20.1897/SEPT.9.1902. DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911.'' followed by ''COLT'S PT.F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD.CT.U.S.A.'', with the circled Rampant Colt trademark behind the slide serration. The right side of the slide is stamped with the early small stamped ''MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY''. The right side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard is stamped with the very early & highly desirable, Type 1, small SN markings of ''No. 397'', with the circled ''WGP'' monogram of Ordnance Inspector Walter G. Penfield above the magazine release. This pistol has the following early production original parts: 1) Short hammer with border-less checkering to the edge, 2) Round top rear sight & the narrow front sight with the smaller stud on the underside, 3) a first pattern recoil spring guide with the bevel on the front edge & the lower rear points, 4) a third pattern recoil spring plug with the round nose profile, 5) the first pattern slide stop with fine checkering & no dimple on the backside, 6) the original Type 1 magazine catch lock, 7) the early thin thumb safety lever with the sharper edges & undercut on the back & underside of the thumb piece. The rear face of the slide, as well as the top of the receiver, are all correctly stamped with the ''H'' provisional inspection mark of Frank L. Hosmer, the U.S. Government inspector who started inspecting these at approximately pistol serial number ''400'', making this example one of the very first to have that mark. It is stamped with the separated ''H & E'' proof on top of the chamber area. The pistol comes with two magazines marked ''COLT 45 AUTO''. There is a lanyard loop on the underside of the strap base. Original checkered wood grips are very good, with one small grain crack below bottom screw on right side. The high polished finish is 40 to 50%, with most of the wear to carry points & slide. The bore is excellent. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptional, extremely rare & highly desirable, early 1912 production, three Digit SN, U.S. ARMY Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol.* FFL or C&R Req.
History & Prominence: This pistol was originally given to & used by Morgan Neill during his service in WWI. It was then given to his son Robert Neill who carried the pistol during his WWII service in the Army Air Force as a B24 & B25 Pilot. The pistol remained in the family until his death when it came into the possession of a family friend. It is the family friend who now offers this exceptional piece of Military & U.S. History for auction. - Value: 12000 to 25000
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and item description, or contact seller for more information. |
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See item description or
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