1164 EARLY COLT MODEL 1911 SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,250.00 USD
Estimated at 4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
ATTRIBUTED TO COLONEL JOHN TURNER WITH DOG TAGS. Cal. 45 ACP. S# 63285. Bbl. 5". This classic early Colt 1911 pistol, made for the Army in 1914, has many of the early features desired by collectors. The left slide was marked with a 2-line address, referencing Colt's patent dates, suffixed by the name of the company, along with its address in Hartford, CT. Behind the serrations is the encircled Rampant Colt logo. On the left side of the forward frame is "UNITED STATES PROPERTY"; an intertwined "WGP" inspection logo, that cuts through the blue, is just above the mag. release button. The right side of the slide is marked "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY", the frame marked "No 63285". This pistol has the squared rear sight with U-notch, early stub hammer with fine unbordered checkering, and some small parts that are fire blued. Fitted with checkered walnut grips with prominent diamonds and an earlier pinned base 2-tone mag. with lanyard loop, to which is attached 3 dog tags belonging to Colonel John Turner, 128th Infantry Division, National Guard. Disassembly shows a sm. "H" on the frame, forward of the disconnector, that is repeated on the back of the slide, just above the firing pin retainer. Bbl. is marked with a "H" on the top of the chamber, with lazy "J" on the left side of the lug, and a "5" on the bottom of the bbl. in front of the lug. MAGS: 1 7-rd. CONDITION: very good plus, with at least 85% bright original blue, the balance showing holster wear, as one might expect from a pistol that has seen moderate service. Most of the wear is on the front and rear grip straps that have largely toned to a gray. Comparable condition grips with oil stains and blunted checkering, most pronounced on the right panel near the bottom. Very good mag. Dark bore, with shallow rifling. Correct manual mechanics. A very desirable and early 1911 military pistol with dog tags attributing ownership to Colonel John Turner and fitted with an even earlier Colt mag! PROVENANCE: from The Collection of Curtis H Halvorson. (23-5810/LMA). CURIO. $4,500-6,500.