3736

Early Colt U.S. Army Contract Model 1911 Pistol with A.J. Savage Arms Company Slide with Rare Audley

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,100.00 USD Estimated At:2,250.00 - 3,500.00 USD
Early Colt U.S. Army Contract Model 1911 Pistol with A.J. Savage Arms Company Slide with Rare Audley
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This is an example of a very early WWI U.S. Army contract Colt Model 1911 replacement pistol, that was produced in mid-1914 and subsequently rebuilt or fitted with a WWI Savage replacement slide. The frame is unusual in that it is only marked on the left side with "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" in front of the slide stop pin hole, with no other U.S. Government inspector marks or proofs. (This is typical of the replacement frames) The right side of the frame has only the serial number (87407) and the top of the frame by the disconnector hole is stamped with the small "H" and "R" Sub-inspector proofs. The slide is a WWI replacement that was manufactured by the Savage Arms Company and is marked on the left side in three lines "PATENTED DEC 19, 1905,/FEB14, 1911 AUG 19, 1913,/COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO" next to the Flaming Bomb proof with a letter "S" inside, to signify manufacture by Savage, with "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY" on the right side. The pistol has the correct WWI parts and components, such as the flat mainspring housing, wide hammer spur, checkered slide stop and thumb safety with a WWI Colt blued barrel that is stamped with the Colt "HP" connected proof on top of the chamber area. It is fitted with a set of WWI checkered walnut grips and is complete with early two-tone magazine with the lanyard loop on the base plate. Complete with a very rare commercial Audley leather holster marked on the back "AUDLEY/PATENTED/OCT. 13 1914". These Audley holsters were an early commercial holster, usually privately purchased by military officers, along with a leather belt loop for a WWI holster. These Audley holsters featured a full flap with closed toe on the holster. They also have a push-button lock inside the holster to secure the pistol. This lot also has two magazine pouches; one, an early Eagle Snap version marked on the back, "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/1914/T.C.C." (empty) and the other one is a later 1918 dated MILLS canvas pouch. Inside the flap it is marked "NOV. 1918/MILLS/PAT July 07 & OCT 18". This pouch has two all blued WWII GI magazines, with a small letter "R" on the lower lip.
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 87407
Condition: Very fine with 85% plus of the finish with edge and high spot wear overall with wear and blue loss on the front grip strap and lower section of the mainspring housing. The grips are in fine condition with nice distinct checkering with even honest wear on the tops of the checkering, and some minor nicks and dings. The colors on both the frame and slide have a nice matching dark blue/black color. The holster is very good with 85% of the original brown color overall with scuffs on the edges and high spots with nice tight stitching around the edges with some stitching coming lose on the lower edge of the spring mechanism on the front. The markings are clear and sharp. The leather pouch is also very good with a nice color overall with tight stitching with the front flap showing wear with a heavy crease/crack on the front, with the snap still intact. The leather holster, belt loop attachment are excellent and so is the later canvas magazine pouch. The two magazines are also excellent. Overall a very nice example of scarce WWI Colt Model 1911 with a Savage slide and various accessories.