More gun porn from the same auction:
Lot 2446: Documented Finest Condition U.S. Singer Manufacturing Co. Model
Estimate: $160,000 - $240,000
Description: Documented Finest Condition U.S. Singer Manufacturing Co. Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Two Extra Magazines and History
This is the finest condition known example of a U.S. Model 1911A1 semi-automatic pistol that was from the 500 pistols manufactured by the Singer Manufacturing Co. under Educational Order W-ORD-396 in 1940. The contract of 500 Singer pistols were issued primarily to U.S. Army Air Corps squadrons.
The pistol has the correct original and unique high gloss blue finish which is found only on U.S. Singer M1911A1 pistols. The Keyes Fibre stocks are checkered brown plastic and lack the reinforcing rings around the screw holes and interior strengthening ribs found on later production Keyes stocks. The pistol has the correct milled trigger with checkered face, short wide spur hammer and checkered slide stop, safety lock and mainspring housing.
The left side of the slide is roll-stamped "S. MFG. CO./ELIZABETH, N.J.,U.S.A." in two lines. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/M1911 A1 U.S.ARMY". The serial number "NoS800221" is stamped below the property mark. The serial numbers show the slight misalignment that is typical of Singer M1911A1 pistols. The left side of the frame is stamped with the "JKC" final inspection mark of Colonel John K. Clement Commander of the New York Ordnance District. A "P" proofmark is stamped on the left side of the frame above the magazine release, on the top of the slide between the ejection port and the front sight (the "P" faces left) and on the left side of the barrel lug. The barrel has a full blue finish and the only marking is the "P" proofmark.
The pistol is complete with three magazines with high polish full blue finish and oversize floorplate pins.
This pistol is accompanied by a notarized letter dated July 7, 2010, from Stephen Clark. The letter explains how 1st Lt. Charles H. Clark was a pilot in the U.S. Air Corps during WWII. Prior to his military service, Lt. Clark was a pilot for the U.S. Navy Reserve, stationed on an aircraft carrier in Long Beach, California. He worked as a test pilot for North American Aviation in 1941 and joined the Army Air Corps in 1942, stationed at Burtonwood Air Depot in England. On May 11, 1943, he piloted a B-17F out of Bovington Field, England, to Iceland to recover bodies and papers from a B-24 which crashed on May 3, 1943. In the crash, the pilot, co-pilot, 4 crewmen and 8 passengers were killed; the only survivor was the tail gunner, who escaped with only minor injuries.
Among the recovered items by Lt. Clark was this Singer pistol which had been in his possession until October 7, 1958 when it was passed on to the son. Also with the pistol are 4 photographs of Lt. Clark, a section of the periodical "Take Off". North American Aviation Inc. of Texas, September 11, 1941, with an article about Clark, a copy of an individual flight record of 1st Lt. Clark for the month of May (year not recorded, writer assumes 1943, the month of the recovery) and a copy of an internet fact sheet with the summary of the circumstances of the crash of the on B-24 May 3, 1943 in Iceland.
Manufacturer: Singer
Model: 1911A1
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: brown plastic checkered
Serial Number: S800221
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Condition: Excellent plus. The pistol retains 99% of the original high polish finish. Wear is limited to some minor finish loss on the slide at the muzzle and on the forward edges of the frame. The barrel has minor cycling wear on the chamber. The grips are both excellent plus. The Singer markings on the left side of the slide are crisp and deep. The serial number and U.S. markings on the right side of the frame are crisp. The "P" proofmarks on the slide and frame and the "JKC" final inspection mark on the frame have correct raised, bright edges. All three magazines are excellent with 99% of the original blue finish. This is an extraordinary example of a rare Singer M1911A1 pistol with interesting documented history. Quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire the finest condition Singer Model 1911A1, which is the key piece in any advanced Model 1911/1911A1 or U.S. martial pistol collection.
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Lot 2126: Cased Samuel Colt Presentation Colt Model 1862 Police Revolver
Estimate: $140,000 - $240,000
Description: Extraordinary and Historic Cased Deluxe Factory Engraved and Inscribed Samuel Colt Presentation Colt Model 1862 Police Percussion Revolver Presented to Major Charles T. Baker
This historic Model 1862 Police revolver was manufactured in 1861 (the first year of production) and presented by Colt founder Samuel Colt to Major Charles Traintor Baker (1821–1881). It is known that Colt revolvers were specially inscribed and presented by Samuel Colt to government officials, military leaders, business associates and personal friends. It is important to note Samuel Colt died on January 10 of 1862, making this gun certainly one of his last presentation revolvers, if not his last.
This is not the first gun Colt presented to Major Baker. In fact, Colt presented Baker with a cased Model 1860 (serial number 7569), and this revolver resides at New York’s famed Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). The Model 1860 is pictured and described in the MET’s "Notable Acquisitions, 1983-1984" on page 25 and R.L. Wilson’s “Samuel Colt Presents” on page 174 and featured on the MET’s online catalog. The MET’s Model 1860 was also manufactured in 1861, meaning that both revolvers were presented to Major Baker at the dawning of the Civil War. According to the MET’s records, Baker served as an officer in the 5th Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers at the time of the presentation.
Although the writer was unable to find Baker’s name among the official Civil War record of men serving this regiment, it is interesting to note that the record does indicate a “one Colonel Baker from Windham County appearing as a military instructor of regiment.” Baker lived in Windham County where his home can still be viewed today and was an infantry tactics instructor at West Point. The rank of colonel could possibly be in error.
Baker graduated from West Point on July 1, 1842. Upon graduation he was promoted to brevet 2nd lieutenant with the 3rd Infantry, served in the Second Seminole War in 1842, was in garrison at Ft. Stansbury, Florida, in 1842-1843 and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, in 1843-1844, was on frontier duty at Ft. Jesup, Louisiana, in 1844 and Ft. Towson, Indian Frontier, in 1844-1845 and was an assistant instructor of infantry tactics at West Point from 1845 to 1851. He retired in December 1851, possibly with the rank of 1st lieutenant.
His father, Colonel Rufus Baker (1790-1868), served in the U.S. Ordnance Corps and was elected president of Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company in 1856.
Samuel Colt was a master salesman above all his other attributes, and he found that the best kind of advertising that he could employ to promote his products were the products themselves. He handed out finely engraved and inscribed presentation guns to anyone he thought to be a worthy recipient. One of his guns placed in the hands of an influential person, believed Colt, would go a long way in winning support and acceptance of his products. Major Baker, an officer linked to a regiment organized in Colt’s hometown of Hartford, made a perfect candidate for one of Colt’s special presentation revolvers. The presentation of this revolver was also during a period when Colt was attempting to create a regiment fully armed with his products.
This military unit became known as the 1st Regiment Colt’s Revolving Rifles of Connecticut but quickly disbanded before ever engaging in combat. Many disbanded soldiers from the Colt’s Regiment re-enlisted in the 5th Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers. The 5th Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers was organized in July 1861 at Hartford, participated in several engagements including Battle of Front Royal, First Battle of Winchester, Second Battle of Bull Run, Battle of Gettysburg, Atlanta Campaign and Battle of Bentonville and was mustered out of service July 1865.
The factory presentation inscription to Major Baker is featured on the back strap: “Major Charles T. Baker/From Col. Colt.” (Note that the MET’s Model 1860 has an identical back strap inscription.)
Most of the remaining surfaces of the revolver exhibit a beautifully executed foliate scroll engraving on a punch dot background which incorporates a wolf head on the left side of the barrel lug, the rear of the cylinder at each chamber and both sides of the hammer. The hammer spur is hand knurled and has a seven dot inverted "V" motif beneath the knurling. This style of engraving is indicative of revolvers from Gustave Young and his shop.
The top of the barrel is stamped with the one-line New York address, the left side of the frame is engraved “COLT’S/PATENT,” and a cylinder flute is stamped with the patent date.
The barrel and cylinder have the Colt extra high polish commercial blue finish reserved for special presentation pieces. It is truly an impressively rich finish that speaks volumes to the quality of Colt craftsmanship in the mid to late 19th century. The loading lever, frame and hammer are color casehardened, and the brass trigger guard and back strap are silver plated.
The oiled one piece grip is highly figured walnut.
Matching serial numbers are stamped on the frame, barrel, trigger guard, back strap, arbor pin and cylinder. The barrel wedge is un-numbered. The serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap are accompanied by a dot that indicates special attention by the factory.
The factory partitioned case is lined in royal purple velvet and contains an Eley Brothers cap tin, “L” shaped wrench/screwdriver, extra hammer spring, extra hand, two extra percussion nipples, “COLTS/PATENT” marked two cavity bullet mold, package of Police combustible envelope cartridges (opened), and single face eagle Colt’s patent powder flask. Also take note that the MET's cased Model 1860 also has similar spare parts.
Samuel Colt presentation revolvers are the rarest and most historic Colt percussion firearms.
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1862 Police
BBL: 6 ½ inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 36 percussion
Finish: blue/casehardened/silver
Grips: highly figured walnut
Serial Number: 3420
Class: Antique
Condition: Excellent. The barrel and cylinder retain 95% bright original high polish blue finish with the balance thinning to a gray. The hammer, frame and loading lever retain 85% original case colors. The grip straps retain 97% plus original silver plating. The grip is also excellent showing a few minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine showing minor-moderate handling/storage marks, a detached short partition wall and typical high spot wear on the lining. A high conditioned Samuel Colt presentation factory engraved deluxe Model 1862 Police revolver presented to an identified Civil War Union officer that will do well in even the most advanced Colt or Civil War collections.
For the highly advanced high end Colt collector who wants to buy the best the first time around and not have to upgrade later!