3652

Excellent Early 1912 "U.S. Army" Contract Colt Model 1911 Pistol Complete with Original 1912 Leather

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,750.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Excellent Early 1912  U.S. Army  Contract Colt Model 1911 Pistol Complete with Original 1912 Leather
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Estimate: $5500 - 8500
This is an exceptional example of an early 1912 US Army contract pistol that has a high desirable "four-digit" serial number. This pistol is accompanied by a Colt factory letter stating that this pistol was a shipped in a lot of 500 pistols, to the Commanding Officer at San Antonio Arsenal in June 1912. The pistol remains in original, unaltered condition, and is complete with an original "US" marked 1912 drop-down swivel holster. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped in a two line, two block manner; with the FIRST block marked "PATENTED APR. 20.1897/SEPT.9.1902 DEC.19.1905 FEB.14.1911" followed by the second block which is "COLT'S PT. F.A.MFG. CO./HARTFORD.CT. U.S.A." The encircled Rampant Colt trademark is roll-stamped on the left side of the slide behind the grip serrations. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY". The left side of the frame is roll stamped with "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" in small letters in front of the trigger guard, with the small circular "WPG" Ordnance final inspection stamp above the early type-two magazine release button. The right side of the frame is roll-marked with the early type 1, small four digit serial number marked: "No. 4275" in front of the take-down pin hole. The pistol has all the early desirable features such as the early first pattern, small half-moon Model 1911 tapered blade front sight with the rounded top rear sight, short hammer and early style safety lock with thin thumb piece. The barrel is all blued and has a single letter "S and P" proof on the left side of the barrel lug. The top of the receiver is stamped with an "H" in front of the disconnector hole and a "3" on the right side of the hole. "H" provisional inspection mark is tamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop. The pistol is complete with a later pattern two-tone lanyard loop magazine with the smooth solid back side. As noted this pistol is complete with an original 1912 US Army contract holster as manufactured at Rock Island Arsenal. This model has the short drop-down hanger that is marked on the back "ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL/1911", that has the iron double hooks with the roller to protect the hanger. The holster has the later cut-away pistol rest modification inside the holster to prevent the accidental release of the magazine. The holster has the original "US" marked web belt with a "LCC & Co./1918" marked double magazine pouch. This lot is complete with an original Colt marked 22 Cal conversion kit contained in a Colt maroon box. The kit consists of the Colt slide that is marked on the left side with the single line of the Colt factory address with the left side roll-marked with: "COLT/CONVERSION UNIT/.22 LONG RIFLE" with the Colt Rampant Horse logo. This unit has the barrel with the floating chamber and is complete with two barrels, both with the floating chambers, the extractor, ejector, and firing pin assembly and plate, barrel bushing, recoil spring, guide and plug with a take down pin, magazine and instruction sheet.
BBL: 5 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 4275
Condition: Excellent with 90% plus of the original early Colt blued finish overall with wear and finish loss on the edges and high spots overall, with actual blue loss on the very lower front edges of the frame extension and the lower rear edges of the slide, recoil spring housing. This same area has some very small pin-prick pitting from sitting in a holster. The walnut grips are in excellent condition with a nice dark brown matching color on both grip panels, with nice distinct checkering on both sides with only minor handling marks, and light scratches with no cracks or damage. The holster is in very good condition overall with nice tight stitching with some minor scuffing and rub marks on the surface of the leather holster itself, with some minor age cracking of the leather on the flap. The belt hanger is fragile and shows heavy wear overall and has almost torn through the top of the hanger itself. The web belt and magazine pouch are both in very good plus condition. The Conversion kit is in very good condition overall with 90% of the original blue finish on the slide with blue loss on the front end of the slide, with wear on both barrels from firing and use. The Colt maroon box is in good plus condition with the sides of the lid torn off and missing with the lid taped in several area. Still just an exceptional lot with a very early Model 1911 pistol that is still in original unaltered condition.