SOLD
11,000.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2012 Dec 01 @ 17:25UTC-6 : CST/MDT
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A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.
Estimate: $14000 - 22500
What a rare find, this is one of only "400" such pistol ever produced for the U.S. Army and is 1 of 24 documented late WWII, Colt semi-automatic pistols that was shipped under Government contract from the Colt factory to Remington Arms in June 1945. This exact pistol has been verified via a Colt factory letter dated Sept 2012 as being 1 of the noted 24 pistols shipped to Remington Arms in this exact configuration. Of the 24 pistols originally shipped to Remington Arms, three were subsequently reshipped back to the Government to Frankford Arsenal in May 1946. This "exact" pistol is the missing "one of three" pistols specifically listed on page 110 of the reference book "Colt's Super .38, The Production History 1929-1971" by Douglas Sheldon. These pistol have always been an enigma within Colt and Military handgun collecting community. Clearly as discussed in the reference book, they are far more rare that previously thought! Out of the total of 400 pistols order, 376 were shipped to the "Warehouse and Property Officer" Military and Administration & Supply Division, Fowler Building, Rosslyn Virginia (i.e. The Pentagon), which was the Warehouse area/storage for the "OSS" during WWII, with only a handful of those pistols ever having surfaced to date! The OSS was the forerunner of the later CIA, so you can imagine that they were either destroyed or are still tucked away in some Government warehouse. The remaining 24 were shipped to Remington Arms for use in ammunition testing, due to the extremely large order for "Super 38" that the OSS/Government placed on order in late WWII. Of these 24 pistols 3 were shipped to Frankford Arsenal and were specifically listed in a memorandum date June 13 1946 by the Chief Of Ordnance requesting final disposition as they were left over after the WWII and were not used for any further ammunition testing. It is kind of an interesting note this specific pistol serial number "37450" has a mismatched slide, which is numbered "37229". Pistol serial number "37229" is also listed on the same memorandum noted above and as discussed on the same referenced page above, also has a mismatched slide, which is numbered (37450) that matches this pistol. Now the other pistol serial number "37229" is know to exist in a private collection today! Obviously these slides were switched as part of the final U.S. Government interchangeability inspection test as performed on all Government contracts. The left side of the slide is correctly marked with the two-line Colt factory Hartford address and 1897-1913 patent dates on the left side, with the no Colt Rampant. The right side of the slide has the correct Colt and "SUPER 38 AUTOMATIC" markings. The left side of the frame has the U.S. Government final inspector markings of "G.H.D." and the right side has the serial number and final U.S. Government "Cross-Cannon" inspection cartouche directly behind the grip. This pistol has the all blue, unmarked "Super 38" barrel with the polished chamber area, with the late WWII brown checkered plastic grips with the reinforcing web on the back sides with mold numbers. This rare pistol is complete with one all blue magazine that is correctly marked on the base plate "COLT/Super 38 Auto".
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 38 super auto
Finish: blue
Grips: brown plastic checkered
Serial Number: 37450
Condition: Excellent with 98% of the original Colt blue finish overall. The only noticeable finish loss is on the dented sides of the rear sight where it was adjusted laterally when it was targeted. The brown plastic grips are also excellent. Just a super rare all original WWII U.S. Government contract Colt M1911A1 in the rare "38 Super" caliber.
Auction Location:
7819 42nd St W, Rock Island, Illinois, 61201, United States
Previewing Details:
Thursday, November 29th 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, November 30th 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Saturday, December 1st 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Sunday, December 2nd 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Please contact the auction house for the preferred shipper’s contact information.
Payment Details:
Payment Information: Auction sales are strictly for cash, cashier’s check or checks (with prior approval of the management), MasterCard, Visa or Discover. NOTE TO ALL BUYERS: Method of payment will be U.S. currency or certified check drawn on an American bank. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer's hammer. Buyer’s Premium: All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser of 20.5% of the bid price. There is a 2.5% discount for payment with cash, approved check or wire transfer. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes before any lot may be transferred. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All items purchased by absentee bidders must be paid for in full immediately upon notification.
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1. TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE. The following conditions of sale make up the entire terms and conditions on which items listed in our catalog, on the internet web site and addendum sheets will be offered for sale or sold by Rock Island Auction Company (known hereafter as “RIAC”). All bidders who participate by bidding in this auction agree to the terms and condition of sale and agree to be bound by same. Any notices, posted or oral during the sale, are also part of our condition of sale agreement. Acceptance of a bidder card or a bidder number constitutes acceptance of the following terms and conditions of sale. The purchaser’s rights and our respective rights and obligations hereunder are governed by Illinois law. By bidding at our auction whether in person or by agent, sealed bid, telephone bid, via the internet or other means, the buyer or bidder agree that the contract created by these conditions of sale is made and performed in the County of Rock Island, State of Illinois and further agrees that should any dispute arise from this contract the jurisdiction for contractual disputes is Rock Island County. Auctioneer is not responsible for any errors of the buyer including but not limited to the buyer bidding on the wrong lot.
2. BUYER’S PREMIUM AND SALES TAX. All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium 20.5% payable by the purchaser. The buyer’s premium shall be reduced to 18% provided the payment is paid by cash or the equivalent of cash (cashier’s check, wire transfer, or approved personal check). If the account is settled by credit card, the buyer’s premium then shall be the standard 20.5%.
This is not an aggregate percentage on the total items bid rather a per item percentage rate. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. Some items are exempt from Illinois sales tax and others may be subject to Illinois sales tax or local sales tax. The tax is computed on the total purchase price. To establish a tax free sale, a copy of a valid reseller’s permit or other instrument of information must be provided to our satisfaction establishing a sales tax exemption. Any purchaser claiming an exemption yet unable to provide proof will be required to pay the tax to us and seek a refund from the State of Illinois. Generally, all items shipped out of state are tax free sales. We have been authorized by the consignor to retain as part of our remuneration, the buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser.
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4. TERMS OF PAYMENT. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer’s hammer or at the announcement of “sold”. This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All property must be removed from our premises at the purchaser’s expense no later than 5:00 p.m. five days following the date of sale unless otherwise agreed. If the property is not removed, it may be transferred to a public warehouse for the purchaser at the purchaser’s risk and expense.
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15. FIREARMS LAWS. All post - 1898 firearms must be registered in compliance with Federal and Illinois State Law. Buyers of post - 1898 firearms must complete state and federal registrations forms at Rock Island Auction Company, 7819 42nd Street West, Rock Island, IL 61201, unless otherwise specified. A 3-day waiting period is mandatory for modern handguns, a 24-hour waiting period on modern long arms. Dealers and out-of-state buyers must have in their possession on the day of sale, signed copies of their Federal Firearms License in order to accept same-day delivery of modern weapons. Buyers who act as agents for FFL dealers must have a letter of agency as well as a signed copy of the dealers Federal Firearms License (FFL).
16. CLASS 3. All firearms designated as Class 3 must be registered in compliance with the NFA registry. A $200 federal tax payment is required each time a functional NFA firearm is transferred to or from a private owner. This fee as well as full purchase payment is due at time of purchase in order to process the paperwork. The new owner of the Class 3 firearm will be required to complete 3 forms - 1) ATF Form 4, 2) fingerprint card, 3) ATF form 5330.20 Certificate of Compliance. These forms will be provided to you by Rock Island Auction Company. Note: if state of local law requires a permit or license to purchase, possess, or receive NFA firearms, a copy of the transferee’s (buyer) permit or license must accompany the application. Rock Island Auction Company then mails the paperwork for the Federal Transfer Tax to BATFE. The BATFE says that it can take up to 90 days for approval. We will receive back one of the Form 4’s (they are sent in duplicate) with a Federal Tax Stamp attached to it. This is given to the new owner when he/she picks up the NFA firearm. No further tax is due. The following states do not allow individuals to own machine guns: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York, Rhode Island. SPECIAL NOTE: If you are an SOT (Special Occupation Tax) payer (Class 3 dealer) you are able to transfer functional NFA firearms to or from other SOT payers and government agencies with BATFE approval, but without having to pay a transfer tax.
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18. All delivery, shipping and storage charges must be paid by the successful bidder prior to delivery of the firearm.
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DISPUTES UNDER THIS CONTRACT
Buyer and RIAC agree to mediate any dispute or claim arising between them resulting from the buyer participating in the auction or any resulting transaction. Furthermore the buyer and RIAC agree should Mediation be necessary that Mediation fees if any will borne equally by the parties. Buyer and RIAC are required under the terms and condition of sale to enter into Mediation before arbitration or any court action. Should a party commence legal action other than Mediation without giving written notice to the other party that party will not be entitled to recover attorney’s fees even if they would otherwise be allowed to that party in the action[ you should require mediation or arbitration prior to filing any law suit ] All. All mediation, arbitration and court proceedings, whether in state or federal court, shall be filed and conducted solely within Rock Island County, State of Illinois, and not in any other jurisdiction.
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Limitation of Liability. Except as expressly provided above, all property is sold “as is”. Rock Island Auction Company nor the consignor makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the title, merchantability, fitness or condition of the property or as to the correctness of description, genuineness, attribution, provenance or period of the property or as to whether the purchaser acquires any copyrights or other intellectual property rights in lots sold or as to whether a work of art is subject to the artist’s moral rights or other residual rights of the artist. All firearms and ammunition are sold as collector lots only. fitness to fire or otherwise discharge the arm or ammunition is expressly denied by rock island auction company. a competent gunsmith should be consulted before attempting to use or fire any firearm or ammunition. the purchaser expressly acknowledges and agrees that in no event shall Rock island auction company be liable for any damages including without limitation any compensatory, incidental or consequential damages.
4/13/2011 11:21:35 AM