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Rare Second Type Springfield Armory Gallery Practice Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 22,500.00 USD
Rare Second Type Springfield Armory Gallery Practice Pistol
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This is a very rare example of a prototype Second Type .22 caliber Gallery Practice Semi-Automatic Pistol manufactured by Springfield Armory in January 1919. Springfield Armory Manufactured a total of twenty-five Second Type, .22 Long Rifle Gallery Practice Pistols. Although the pistols performed adequately in tests at Springfield Armory; troop trials by the Infantry School of Arms and the Cavalry Board revealed problems with ejection, feeding and binding breech blocks. As a result of the initials tests the magazines were modified and the pistols were re-submitted for testing in 1923. When the second trials resulted in additional functioning problems; the Army re-examined the design and made the decision to abandon the Springfield Gallery Practice Pistol and await the development of the Colt Ace. The Gallery Practice Pistol was based on a design submitted by J.H. Carl in 1914 and utilized a standard M1911 receiver, fixed slide and barrel, sliding breech block and seven-shot magazine. The pistol has a blue finish and is fitted with standard, checkered, walnut grips. The pistol is complete with a Second Type magazine with a loading assist button on the right side. This pistol, receiver serial number 500781, is identified as "Unit Number 8" on page 449 of U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS by Edward S. Meadows. The pistol slide is numbered "24" and the breech block and magazine are numbered "21". Meadows indicated that only one of the five Second Type Gallery Practice Pistols that he examined was still on the receiver listed in the Springfield Armory records and he speculated that parts may have been switched between pistols during the testing process. The right side of the pistol slide is stamped: "U.S. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY NO. 24" along the bottom edge. The numeral "4" is reversed. The Springfield Armory eagle and shield motif is partially visible next to the breech block cut-out. The lower left side of the slide is stamped "22 CAL LONG RIFLE". The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped with the serial number "500781". "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" is roll-stamped on the left side of the slide ahead of the trigger guard and the "Eagle Head/S12" final inspection mark is stamped above the magazine release. The unit number "21" is stamped on the left side of the breech block. Unit numbers "10" and "21" are stamped on the left side of the magazine above the floor plate.
BBL: 5 Inch
Stock:
Gauge: 22 LR
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 500781
Condition: Fine. The pistol retains 30% of the Arsenal blue finish. The balance is a blue gray patina. There is some light pitting on the upper edge of the lightning groove on the left side of the slide. The magazine retains about 60% of the blue finish and shows moderate handling wear. The markings on the receiver, slide and breech block are clear. The grips are in very good overall condition and show moderate handling wear. This is an extremely rare example of a limited production, prototype Springfield, Second Type Gallery Practice Pistol. This is a historically significant pistol that would be a standout piece in any advanced Model 1911 or U.S. martial pistol collection.