3141

Magnificent General Officer's, 1912 Production U.S. Colt Model 1911 Army Semi-Automatic Pistol with

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Magnificent General Officer's, 1912 Production U.S. Colt Model 1911 Army Semi-Automatic Pistol with
Catalog Special for iCollector Customers!

Order our two volume set with 6,000 color photos.

This is a great reference. You will also be mailed a copy of the prices realized after the auction.

Call or visit our website to order!
This exceptional U.S. Colt Model 1911 Automatic Pistol was shipped to the Augusta Arsenal on November 15, 1912. A hand-written letter dated January 9, 1982, that accompanies the pistol states that it was the property of Brigadier General Lawrence D. Tyson of Knoxville, Tennessee. Tyson graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1883 and saw military service in the Apache Wars of the 1880s. During the Spanish American War he was appointed Colonel of the 6th regiment, U.S. Volunteer Infantry and participated in the occupation of Puerto Rico. Tyson entered politics and was Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1903-1905. Prior to WWI, Tyson was a brigadier General in the Tennessee National Guard. In 1917, Tyson applied for active military service and was assigned to the 59th Brigade, 30th Infantry Division. The 30th Division served with the British in Belgium and saw some of the heaviest fighting of any U.S. troops in WWI. On September 29, 1918, the 30th Division led the British breakthrough of the Hindenburg Line. Soldiers of the 30th Infantry Division were awarded twelve Congressional Medals of Honor, more than any other division in WWI. General Tyson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his WWI service. General Tyson's son served as a U.S. Navy aviator and was lost in action over the North Sea in October 1918. Following WWI, Tyson resumed his career in politics and was elected to the U.S. Senate for the Democratic Party in 1925. In 1926 Tyson sponsored legislation creating the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. General Lawrence D. Tyson died on August 24, 1929. The pistol has the "dull" military blue finish that was applied to Colt Model 1911 after serial number 2400. The stocks are checkered walnut with an oil finish. The pistol is complete with a two-tone, punch-and-saw cut magazine. The pistol has the early style rear sight rounded top, short hammer and early style safety lock with thin thumb piece. The barrel is blued with a rough finish on the top of the chamber and a small "H" provisional inspection mark on the chamber lip. The top of the receiver is stamped with an "H" in front of the disconnector hole and a "6" on the right side of the hole. The serial number, "No13734" is stamped on the right side of the receiver behind the disconnector hole. "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" is stamped in small letters on the left side of the receiver in front of the trigger guard. The circular "WPG" Ordnance final inspection monogram is stamped above the magazine release. A "H" provisional inspection mark is tamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY". The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the Colt 1897-1911 patent dates in two unequal lines followed by: "COLT'S PT. F.A.MFG. CO./HARTFORD.CT. U.S.A." in two lines. The encircled Rampant Colt trademark is roll-stamped on the ;left side of the slide behind the grip serrations. The Model 1912 Swivel Holster is constructed of russet leather and is complete with the original tie-down strap. The flap is embossed with "US" in an oval. The back of the holster swivel hanger is stamped: "RIA/1912./T.C.C." in three lines.
BBL: 5.0 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 13734
Condition: Near new. The pistol has all of the original components and retains 99% of the bright original Colt military blue finish. Wear is limited to several minor scratches on the grip strap and mainspring housing and s alight take-down scratch below the slide stop. The markings on the slide and receiver are crisp. The stocks are in excellent condition with sharp, unhandled, checkering. The magazine retains 98% of the two-tone finish. The holster is in very fine condition. The leather is dry and there is some minor flaking along the edges of the flap and hanger. The tie-down strap has some flaking and age crazing. The oval "U.S." embossing on the holster flap is strong and the RIA markings on the back of the swivel are clear. This is an exceptional and desirable 1912-production Colt Model 1911 Pistol with Model 1912 Swivel Holster documented to a prominent Tennessee politician and WWI general officer. History, desirability, and condition are all present here.