3733

General Officer's Colt Transition Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster Rig

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:2,750.00 - 4,250.00 USD
General Officer's Colt Transition Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster Rig
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Manufactured in 1924. This pistol was the property of Major General William N. Gillmore. General Gillmore graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1925. Gillmore was an artillery officer whose assignments included service with the 36th Infantry Division and 1st Armored Division in Italy in 1944 and the 101st Airborne Division in early 1945. During the Korean Conflict he was artillery officer for IX Corps in Korea, General Gillmore retired from active duty in 1962. His decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, European, African, Middle East Medal with 5 Overseas Bars and the Korean Service medal. The pistol was purchased from General Gillmore's grandson c. 2000. Colt manufactured 10,000 Transition Models between January 23 and July 25, 1924. The "Improved Model of 1911" pistols incorporated Ordnance Department design changes approved in 1923. The pistol has the Colt military blue finish on the slide, receiver, small components and barrel, full-checkered walnut stocks and two-tone flat base magazine. The right side of the slide is marked "MODEL of 1911. U.S. ARMY". The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the Colt 1907-1913 patent dates in two lines followed by the Rampant Colt trademark and the two-line Hartford address. The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No700718" in two lines behind the slide stop hole. "60" is stamped on the right side of the trigger guard bow. The circled "WTG" monogram of the final inspector Captain Walter T. Gordon used on the first 2,000 Transistion pistols is stamped on the left side of the frame below the slide stop. The top is stamped with a serifed "H" in front of the disconnector hole and a "G" to the right of the hole. A serifed "H" is stamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop and a "G" is stamped on the bottom of the slide. The slide is correctly not serial numbered. The top of the barrel chamber is stamped with the conjoined letters "HP" and "&" is stamped on the underside of the barrel immediately in front of the lug. The pistol is complete with a russet leather Model 1916 Holster manufactured by "BOYT" and dated "44", olive drab WWII pistol belt and WWII "U.S." marked magazine pouch with single snap. General Gillmore's name and service number are written in ink on the inside of the holster flap. Copies of General Gillmore's service records and official photograph are included with the pistol.
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 700718
Condition: Fine. The pistol is all original and may have been acquired by General Gillmore on his graduation from West Point and carried throughout his career. The pistol retains 60% plus of the original blue finish and has holster wear on the top and sides of the slide and handling wear on the trigger guard, grip strap and mainspring housing. The grips are both in very good condition but show moderate to heavy handling wear on the heels and front edges. The barrel chamber has 70% of the blue finish. All of the markings are crisp. The magazine has about 90% of the original blue finish. The holster, pistol belt and magazine pouch are all very fine. This is a very good example of a scarce and desirable Colt Transition Model Automatic pistol that was owned and carried by a distinguished U.S. Army WWII General Officer.