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Extremely Rare North American Arms Presentation Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Semiautomatic Handguns Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
Extremely Rare North American Arms Presentation Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol
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Extremely Rare North American Arms Presentation Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol

This is an extremely rare example of a late, "four-digit" Presentation Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol that was produced by the "North American Arms Company Limited" of Quebec, Canada. In early July 1918, the U.S. Government issued a contract for 500,000 Model 1911 pistols to the North American Arms Co., of Quebec, Canada. The North American Arms Company leased the Ross Rifle Plant to actually do the manufacturing and as part of the contractual arrangement, the U.S. Government was to supply all the raw materials. However, due to the material shortages because of the war, the U.S. Government could only supply enough material to allow North American Arms Co. to produce approximately 100 sets of prototype or tool room parts, some of which were later assembled into completed pistols. In December 1918, the U.S. Government canceled the contract due to the Armistice and the end of WWI, consequently no completed pistols were ever produced or accepted by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Ordnance Salvage Board did accept/reclaim a large lot of parts and assemblies as part of the contract termination settlement, that were later disposed of. These 100 pistols were uniquely marked with only a controlling serial number on the left rear section of the frame and slide. This pistol has an extremely high "four-digit" serial number that was well over the normal 100 sets produced, obviously indicating it was assembled as a late "Presentation" model. This specific pistol has control number "1111" marked on the left rear end of the slide, the lower left side of the frame under the grip and also on the left side of the grip safety (very unusual). The slide is correctly marked: "MANUFACTURED BY/NORTH AMERICAN ARMS CO. LIMITED/QUEBEC CANADA". The pistol itself is nicely machined and produced, the configuration of the parts and components are identical to the standard Colt Model 1911 models. The pistol is fitted with a early WWII replacement barrel made by the Flannery barrel company and is marked with a capital "F" on the right side of the barrel lug and a "P" proof on the left side. The pistols itself is very well machined, polished and assembled unlike others we have seen, which may indicate this as actually being one of the factory produced and assembly models. The grip panels are the standard checkered walnut versions. The magazine is a blued half-tone pattern with the double pinned base plate, similar to the Colt versions. This example has a Colt replacement hammer that is very similar to the original North American Arms parts, except it is the later wide version with a checkered spur (original North American hammers are not checkered) and it has a replacement front sight, that has been nicely installed on the slide.

Manufucture: North American Arms
Model: 1911
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Guage: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 1111

Very fine with 70% of the original blue finish overall with general wear on the edges and high spots, blue loss on the front grip strap, the main spring housing and the underside of the frame extension. The grips are in fine condition with nice checkering on both sides, showing wear across the tops of the checkering. This scarce example has all the original parts except those noted above and is in mechanically fine condition. A nice example of a very scarce late WWI M1911 semi-automatic pistol.