The Electric Walther FP

Last week when writing about the match grade target pistols, I came across one that absolutely fascinated me. While still maintaining the quintessential qualities of nearly every handgun every created, there are enough foreign characteristics about it to pique the curiosity of any firearms enthusiast while maintaining more than ample practicality to earn their admiration. As promised in last week's article, this week we will delve into the Walther FP pistol.

Lot 6962: Walther Model FP Single Shot Target Pistol

Looking at the pistol from the left side, there are a few small cues to indicate this isn't an ordinary pistol, but nothing that would earn your attention from across the room. However, upon a closer look, things become unique pretty quickly.

Read the rest of this article at our blog's new permanent home on our web page!

The Surprisingly Modern Colt 1903

Lot 1453: Excellent Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Original Box and Papers
(Lot 1468 is another pristine example of a 1908 in its original box)

At the 2015 Shot Show in Las Vegas there was the usual hullabaloo around a lot of new guns and gadgets, and rightly so.  For those unfamiliar, Shot Show is basically the Detroit Auto Show of the gun world. It's on par with the biggest industry shows in the country: E3, CES, Comic-Con, NRA Convention, etc. Annually, new stuff gets unveiled before throngs of both the passionate and the curious. However, one little pistol stuck out at Shot2015 that was not the usual piece of innovative technology.  In fact, its roots go back over 100 years.  Needless to say, the presence of a Colt Model 1903 "General Officer's Pistol" surprised more than a few people.

Also known as the 1903 Pocket Hammerless, even though they possess a shrouded hammer, these classy little pistols are perhaps more at home in today's world of concealed carry options than most folks recognize. Here's how it compares side-by-side with the Glock 43, arguably one of the most anticipated handguns in recent memory.

The larger of the Colt measurements pertain solely to the first variation of the Colt 1903, which
accounted for the first 71,999 produced.

Glocks are frequently heralded for their utilitarian nature, but at over one century old, the Colt still holds its own. In addition to the comparable dimensions, the 1903 has something else going for it that newer pistols simply cannot match: history.

Original Models

Designed by John Moses Browning and initially called Model M by Colt, these "hammerless" pistols were made for over four decades (1903 - 1945) with approximately 572,215 entering civilian production and 200,000 more for the military. They were immediately popular with the public, and approximately 10,000 were sold in the first year. Even though production stopped in 1945, so many parts had been produced that they continued to be assembled until 1953, and were issued to general officers in the Army and Air Force as late as the 1970s. These totals include all five variations of the 1903. The Model 1908 was a nearly identical pistol in .380 ACP that differed only in chamber/bore size and magazine capacity.  The larger round of the Model 1908 meant that only 7 rounds could fit in the magazine, but the new cartridge, developed by John Browning for the Colt 1908, could not compete with the popularity of the .32 ACP that had been in production since 1899. Only 138,000 Model 1908 pistols were sold retail and an unknown amount were made for military contracts.

The smooth lines and relative small size, compared to other early semi-autos, made the Model 1903 a hit with good guys and bad guys alike. Besides being issued to general officers in the military the pistol also saw service with the Shanghai Municipal Police (M1908) in the 1920s and 1930s, including by noted knife fighter, secret agent, commando, and all-around dangerous guy, William Fairbairn. Pistols used in Shanghai are clearly marked as such and are likely to have seen heavy use given the infestation of crime the city during the early 20th century. Perhaps it was Fairbairn's positive experience with the Model 1908 that led to its use by both the OSS, a precursor of the CIA, and the British SOE, both organizations that greatly valued Fairbairn's covert contributions. George Patton was also known to own a 1908 Pocket Hammerless.

Lot 1476: Scarce Documented Shanghai Municipal Police Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter

However, the same advantages that made it so desirable to many police departments, including the NYPD, also made it popular among criminals of the day. Bonnie Parker of "Bonnie & Clyde" infamy had two with her the day they were gunned down in their V8-powered Ford. John Dillinger, despite his affinity for .45 caliber weapons, and a well-known quote of, "Never trust a woman, a district attorney, or an automatic pistol," was photographed wearing a Model 1908 and was killed with one on his person.

New Models

At Shot Show 2015, Colt had a Model 1903 at their booth.  There was no grand reveal, no unveiling, hype, or fanfare.  Just a pistol displayed under glass and one being shown by one of the creators in the massive Colt booth. The full story is that Colt contracted U.S. Armament Corp to make a licensed copy of the 1903 pocket hammerless general officer's pistol.  This U.S. Armament Corp is the same organization that made exact replicas of the Colt Model 1877 "Bulldog" Gatling gun several years back.  Not only are the Gatling guns gorgeous with their highly polished brass and walnut, the reproductions are said to be so exact that parts of the originals and the reproductions are said to be interchangeable. That's the kind of precision and attention to authenticity U.S. Armament brings to the table when reproducing the Colt Model 1903 pistols.  (Note: According to USAC, the parts of the new pistols may or may not fit the original Colt pistols because many of the original Colt pistols were hand fitted, as are the parts for the reproductions. Sometimes, even original parts don't properly fit on original guns.)

That said, the guns are reproduced with most of their imperfections.  The grip safety that some users found difficult to activate appears in its original form. The right-handed, manual safety that offers no tactile or audible feedback, yet is easy enough to use, is still a simple checkered lever with a smooth pivot. The small sights, curiously prevalent among guns of that period, have not been enlarged. No push button magazine release has been added, so the original heel release must be used. Also since the Model 1903 pre-dates the 1911, the slide does not lock open on the final shot, nor is there accompanying slide release for such a feature. Those wishing to carry this gun as an alternative to modern concealed carry options will be pleased at the authenticity, but may also wish to consider the lack of many common and desirable features.

Image from www.usarmamentcorp.com

The only true downside to the reproduction of these once popular little pistols will be the limited run. initial reports after Shot Show 2015 were that 2,500 of these pistols were going to be produced, 500 of which would be GO-issued pistols. A quick call to USAC reveals that those numbers have been updated. Now, a total run of 3,500 pistols will be produced. 2,500 will be parkerized general officer's pistols, and 500 of those will be "presentation" models with serial number duplicates to those issued to specific U.S. Generals, deluxe presentation cases, and information on that specific general. It is likely that those serial numbers issued to the most famous generals (Patton, Eisenhower, Bradley, etc) will likely be donated or presented. The remaining 1,000 pistols are going to be shipped in the white to Colt's Custom Shop where they will undoubtedly get any number of special grips, finishes, engravings, and inlays. Also disclosed at Shot Show was the base price of $1,395. In comparison, original models of the 1903 and 1908 in our December auction have low estimates ranging from $800 - $6,500.  Those guns will be shipped with one mag in the military style kraft boxes, with wax pencil serial numbers on the box to boot. Model 1908 pistols will come later (likely 12 - 18 months out) with a limited production run of approximately 5,000. Before you can ask: no, Colt Pythons reproductions are not planned at this time despite the immense number of requests for the wheelgun.

New Info on the New Model

What has not yet been discussed or divulged is the possibility of USAC producing a special "OSS Presentation" version of the pistol. This gun would likely receive its own presentation case and some OSS related goodies, but would also be able to accept a suppressor! USAC says that the suppressor (as of this writing) would likely be outsourced, but the pistol itself would involve a longer, threaded barrel produced in-house. As if a popular old gun receiving its due renaissance isn't cool enough, USAC will potentially take it one step further by giving a very visible modern nod to the pistol's clandestine past. That is one idea that this writer personally hopes makes it all the way into final production, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Timeline for such a piece would be roughly 12 - 18 months.

Photo taken from the USAC Facebook page, and not, unfortunately, from my desk.

Speaking of timelines, I spoke with Jake Nyman, Vice President of USAC, with a few clarifying questions regarding these reproductions. Of course, one of the questions I asked was if the timeframe for the 1903 was still correct. He gave details of the production that are perhaps not what people anticipate.  His answer was that a run of 3,500 guns is still anticipated (though an extension of the license with Colt may be sought for the aforementioned "OSS version"). However, the way he answered it communicated that these guns are not being "released" en masse like the latest iPhone. There is no set "release date." These guns are being carefully hand-fitted and will take time to produce.  With some very recent hiring at USAC to build these guns more quickly, rate of manufacture should ramp up to about 100-120 guns per month, meaning about two more years of production. For those wondering, yes, that means these reproductions are already being sold.

Image on unpacked Model 1903, also from USAC Facebook page.

On a side note, the original Model 1903 pistols are said to lack a mechanical firing pin safety and can discharge if dropped hard enough on its muzzle or rear of the slide. The inertia of such an drop has been known to whip the firing pin forward and touch off a chambered round.  This is also the alleged reason for Fairbairn not permitting the Shangai Police to carry with a round in the chamber. Since USAC is known for their dedication to authenticity and accuracy in these reproductions, I asked Mr. Nyman about this design flaw and whether improvements had been made or they stayed 100% true to the old design.

Jake gave an answer that showed a little of each was taking place. A firing pin safety had not been added to the pistol design in order to maintain authenticity, but he did assure me that the sear and hammer pockets were deepened to prevent the accidental discharges. He said, "We and Colt have put this pistol through every drop test you can imagine," with no experienced failures.

Models Appearing in Our 2015 December Auction

It should come as no surprise that the reason we decided to write about these sleek little pistols, in addition to their surprising modern relevancy, is the amount of exceptional examples in our upcoming 2015 December Premiere Firearms Auction. One collection, that of Ralf Eyster, focuses entirely on these pistols. Here are a few of the highlights appearing in this sale.

Lot 3593: Historic Documented U.S. Property Marked Colt Model 1903 Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol as Issued to Brigadier General Joseph L. Bernier with Original Wooden Shipping Crate

Lot 1454: Documented Factory Engraved Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Letter

Lot 1452: Scarce Factory Documented OSS Shipped U.S. Property Marked Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Boxed OSS-Pattern Concealment Holster and Two "Cloak and Dagger" Pattern Patches

Lot 3591: Exceptional U.S. Military Colt Model 1903 Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol

Lot 3571: Wolf and Klar Shipped Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box and Factory Letter

Lot 1680: Exceptional U.S. Property Marked Colt Model 1908 .380 Hammerless Pocket Automatic Pistol with Ammunition Pouch and Spare Magazines

Not only are Model 1903 and 1908 pistols still relevant today, they basically set several standards upon their introduction. Their ability to be concealed and streamlined shape gave them practicality beyond their years. The popularity of the gun and its early appearance in the lifetime of semi-automatic pistols, made its design virtually the definition of how a pistol "should" look, especially in TV and movies. It was seen in early Dick Tracy comic strips (and the 1990 movie) and in the hands of Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca."  It quickly turned into an "every pistol" and is a highly under-recognized accomplishment in the John Moses Browning design portfolio. They provide great alternative for someone who wants to concealed carry, but might not appreciate the aesthetics or lack of history of modern pistols.

Luckily, there is no shortage of either of these pistols in our upcoming 2015 December Premiere Firearms Auction. Likewise, there is also an excellent assortment not only of the 1903 and 1908, but also the 1908 Vest Pocket, and a splendid smattering of other early Colt semi-automatic pistols. Please click any of the links below to view the full selection.  You can place bids directly on our website or just peruse the various roles that these guns filled through their four working decades. Whether you choose buy an original Colt, a licensed reproduction, or just look, be sure to do it fast, because the popularity of these little guns seems to be catching on quickly.

Click here to view all Model 1903 & 1908 pistols in the 2015 December auction

Click here to view other early Colt semi-autos in the auction

Click here to view the Ralf Eyster Collection

-Written by Joel R. Kolander




SOURCES:

Ayoob, Massad F. Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Vol. II. Iola, WI: Krause, 2012. Print.

http://www.alloutdoor.com/2015/01/23/colt-leaks-model-1903-general-officers-pistol-recreation-2015-shot-show/

http://www.usarmamentcorp.com/manufactured-products/colt-1903-pocket-pistol

...and a big thanks to Jake Nyman for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions!

John F. Kennedy's M1 Garand

Lot 1807: Historically Significant, Documented U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy U.S. Springfield Armory National Match 1959 M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle

The War Department Appropriations Bill of 1903 established many things, but the one that begins our story today is its founding of the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice.  Teddy Roosevelt was in office at the time and his enthusiasm for the shooting sports, and this bill, also gave rise to the National Rifle and Pistol Trophy Matches.  Needless to say that the government wanted its citizens proficient in firearms use, perhaps spurred on by the recently ended Spanish-American War (1899) and the numerous other conflicts in which America involved itself in the Caribbean, Pacific islands, and Central America (a.k.a. "The Banana Wars").

By 1905, Teddy has signed off on "Public Law 149,"which permitted the sale of surplus military rifles, ammo, and equipment, at cost, to qualified rifle clubs.  This was followed by the National Defense Act in 1916.  Watching the Europeans immerse themselves in the Great War, in addition to Pancho Villa's raid in New Mexico, gave America cause for concern despite President Woodrow Wilson's re-election campaign slogan of, "He kept us out of the war."  The NDA, an update of the Militia Act of 1903, expanded the National Guard and Army, basically prepared the United States for eventual war, and authorized the War Department to distribute guns and ammunition to the qualified rifle clubs.  It also opened military ranges to civilians and even gave funds to keep all those ranges open.  Many of the responsibilities for these arms and ranges were under the umbrella of the "Office of the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM), which was in turn administered by the Army.  In 1996, when the Army decided it had better things to do, this would turn into it's own private, non-profit company, officially named the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice & Firearms Safety, better known today as the CMP ("Civilian Marksmanship Program").

Click here for the full item listing & more photos

Back in 1959, the Director of Marksmanship for the CMP was Colonel John K. Lee Jr, a man who very likely would have been made aware that a young upstart senator from Massachusetts had been selected to receive an M1 Garand.  That senator was John F. Kennedy.  At that time, the DCM was distributing the rifles based on a lottery system, with only several hundred to a thousand being sold in a given year.  Many folks would wait years for a random rifle selected from the surplus kept at various depots, but it appears that Kennedy's clout granted him quick access to the very desirable rifles, and a very special one at that.

This M1 started from one of those depots, the Erie Ordnance Depot in Port Clinton, OH to be precise, but was far from a random selection.  The rifle picked for Senator Kennedy bears a late production 6+ million serial number and is a Type 1 National Match M1 Garand, that has been rebuilt to a Type 2.  After the NM rifle "happened" to be selected for Kennedy, it also "happened" to make its way to Master Sergeant Raymond E Parkinson, a gunsmith assigned to the Second U.S. Army Advanced Marksmanship Unit at Ft. George C. Meade in Maryland.  Once there, much of the work took place that can be seen on the rifle to this day.  In fact, COL Lee was kind enough to detail such changes in a letter he sent to Senator Kennedy after the rifle was received.  The modifications, as listed in the communication, are:

1. Adjusted the trigger in order to provide an exacting trigger pull for each shot fired.
2. Blued all metal parts to prevent rust and enhance the beauty of the weapon.
3. Applied a moisture-proof silicon finish to the stock.
4. Applied a glass-bedding compound to the recoil shoulders of the stock in order to enable the rifle to maintain its accuracy.
5.  Air-tested the bore for correct calibration and flaws.
6. Test-fired the rifle in a sitting position at 200 yards.

"For your information, Mast Sergeant Parkinson did the test firing and the target is enclosed.  The rifle was not test-fired from a cradle because the gun smiths did not want to scar the stock, however, the test proved conclusively that the rifle is very accurate and as good as any rifle used at the National Matches."

Even the effort to not mar the stock by firing it from a cradle clearly shows the utmost car taken in creating this gun for Kennedy.  Thankfully, the documentation of the rifle's journey has also been preserved.  Accompanying this rifle are a copy of the original DD1348 form noting that it was shipped to Senator Kennedy in October of 1959, the copy of the aforementioned memorandum from COL Lee to Kennedy, the actual 200 yard test target shot by MSG Parkinson, and a copy of the letter of appreciation that Kennedy wrote to MSG Parkinson thanking him for his work and attention to the rifle.

A treasured thank you letter.

This rifle has attracted its fair share of attention over the years.  The May 1967 issue of "The American Rifleman" featured an article on the rifle written by MSG Parkinson himself called, "A Letter Of Appreciation For A Rifle."  In it, he states that he had no idea who the rifle was for and that, just like anyone else, a random rifle was chosen for the task.  He writes, "As no substitution could be made even for someone in Congress, the Colonel [Carpenter] indicated that if I could fix up the piece in my off-duty time, it would reflect a helpful attitude and would be appreciated by the gentleman for whom the M1 was destined."  Also mentioned by Parkinson is the custom made shipping and storage crate he created for this special request rifle, which still accompanies it to this day.

The rifle was also requested by the NRA Firearms Museum in September of 1970 in order to display it an exhibit that showed "a few selected firearms owned by Presidents and other notables."  The letter is included in this lot, as is the letter of the receipt from October 1970 when the rifle was received by the NRA Firearms Museum and temporarily housed there.

Since this rifle was obtained almost a year before he would be elected to the Presidency, it is entirely possible that this rifle followed Kennedy into the White House.  This is an amazing firearm worthy of the finest collections of U.S. military arms, M1 Garands, and even Kennedy memorabilia.  It is a rare chance to own a personal possession of the beloved veteran, congressman, and president.

-Written by Joel Kolander







SOURCES

http://thecmp.org/about/

https://www.nraila.org/articles/20040803/the-civilian-marksmanship-program#1

Parkinson, R. E. "A Letter of Appreciation For A Rifle." American Rifleman Oct. 1967: 40. Print.

Guns Close to Buffalo Bill

Few names conjure up images of the Wild West quicker than that of Buffalo Bill Cody.  Born less than 30 miles from where I sit,  Buffalo Bill needs no introduction to those familiar with the history of the Old West.  The Union scout, Pony Express rider, Civil War soldier, Medal of Honor recipient, and buffalo hunter, turned showman in 1883, founding his "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show and taking it on tour across the country and even into Britain and Europe on several occasions.  It is speculated by several historians that he was one of, if not the most, recognizable celebrity at the end of very end of the 1800s.

At his shows he brought all the romance and violence of the West to life.  There were horsemen from numerous cultures, shooters of incomparable skill such as Annie Oakley, riding roping, races, and reenactments of scenes depicting the Pony Express, stagecoach robberies, and Indian attacks on a pioneer's cabin.  Other big names helped draw the crowds too, such as Sitting Bull and around 20 of his braves.  All of these activities were performed by people with real skills and to audiences in urban environments, it must have seemed as if the West had come to life right before their eyes.  When it was all said and done, Buffalo Bill  owned a massive ranch in Nebraska with an 18-room mansion, had performed for royalty of several nations and in the Roman amphitheater, helped found the city of Cody, Wyoming, supported the rights of women and Native Americans, and eventually had a football team named after him.  Not too shabby.


With a man so associated with hunting, scouting, the plains, the Old West, Native Americans, sharp shots, and the Civil War, it should come as no surprise that there were more than few guns in the man's life and in the lives of those around him.  In fact, the book "The Peacemakers" by R.L. Wilson is dedicated to detailing Cody's collection.  Guns of Buffalo Bill and one of his performers are coming up for auction in Rock Island Auction Company's December 2014 Premiere Firearms Auction.  Here's a look at what will be crossing the auction block.

Documented "National Treasure" Factory Engraved and Inscribed Savage Model 1907 Semi-Automatic Pistol Presented To Buffalo Bill Cody By The Factory

Given to Cody in 1911, this Special Grade M1907 Savage in .32 caliber is certainly a switch from the high-use, rough and tumble revolver one may have pictured Buffalo Bill using.  However, much publicity was gained by Savage thanks to Cody's endorsement and praise of the little shooter.  In fact, Cody went on to purchase several more of the pistols engraved and gave them as gifts.  The pistol's provenance is well-known and can be impeccably traced all the way back to its 1911 Savage factory ledger.  It has been featured in numerous publications and was once on loan to the Buffalo Bill Museum inside the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.  Given Buffalo Bill's place in American history, one would expect to find any gun with his association to be on exhibit.  Finding one available for public sale, just may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The pistol, like most of Buffalo Bill's guns, shows some signs of wear and use, but they are minuscule compared to some of his other firearms which saw hard use.  It still wears 95% of its original factory blue finish and still shows signs of bright casehardening on the trigger.  The engraving, which Wilson calls, "superbly done," is crisp and sharp, as is the ever important inscription on the backstrap that reads, "COL. W.F. CODY."  Setting this gun even further apart are the mother-of-pearl grips that still glimmer with iridescence.

The historical significance of this pistol is difficult to overestimate.  First of all, Buffalo Bill Cody is a staple of American history and folk lore.  He introduced literally millions of Americans and Europeans to the adventure and hardships of the West through his showmanship, talent, and hard work.  Also, as mentioned earlier, most firearms owned by Buffalo Bill have found their way into museums and are not available on the private market.  Furthermore, even those pistols that are in museums, R.L. Wilson in his post-examination letter writes, "...Cody owned very few automatic pistols, and Savage no. 33177 is the only one known to the writer in any collection or museum."  Add to those rarities, its excellent condition, and you have a combination of traits that sends collectors scrambling: rarity, originality, historical significance, and high condition.

Two Sequentially Numbered Smith & Wesson Victory Model Double Action Revolvers with Ken Maynard Inscriptions, Belt, and Holsters 

One man that was featured in "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show was Ken Maynard.  His career started as a young man working in circuses and carnivals training to become a horseman.  It wouldn't take long for his skill to receive notice.  Soon he was working in rodeos, becoming a rodeo champion, and eventually earning a spot performing horse riding tricks and feats that were a staple of the Buffalo Bill shows.  Horse riders from a vast array of cultures would often parade to start each show showing their uniforms and weapons, and giving audiences a taste of some "exotic" customs.  Trick riding and racing were also important parts of the show, so a man of Maynard's talents would have been a valuable addition.  Look at the following posters for Buffalo Bill's Wild West to whether or not horsemanship would have been critical to the show and to audiences.

Maynard's career would then take him to Hollywood to be a "singing cowboy," earn him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and return to him work at circuses, state fairs, and rodeos before alcoholism shortened his career and ruined his finances.

The revolvers are a pair of consecutively numbered Smith & Wesson Victory Model DA revolvers.  The Victory models are the 5-screw variety and they have been highly customized.  Perhaps most noticeably are the jeweled polish applied to the hammer and trigger.  Also distinct are the added raised ribs with their checkerboard engraving and blade front sights, the smooth grips, a small "P" stamped into the left side of the frame between the cylinder and the hammer, and of course the inscriptions of "KEN - MAYNARD" on each butt.

The pair of revolvers also come with an exceptional holster rig made by G.S. Garcia Company, one of most notable leather shops in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Guadalupe S. Garcia was a master saddler, leather carver, silversmith, and engraver.  His vision of quality involved him at all stages of the business and creative processes.  Even as a burgeoning business man at the age of 19, he quickly gained a reputation as a master craftsman, in part thanks to his previous apprenticeships.

Business would grow and expand as demand for his beautiful and quality products increased.  Eventually Garcia would hire on only the most talented of craftsmen to help make his saddles, spurs, bridles, bits and mouthpieces, chaps, rope, and other assorted leather and horse hair goods.  In 1904 Garcia made a masterpiece saddle for the World's Fair in St. Louis.  It was unimaginable and hands down took the gold medal.  That same year, it was placed in the Lewis & Clark Exposition in Portland, OR, where it won its second gold medal - a feat never before accomplished or matched since.  It is best described in the words of Howard Hickson,

"He decided to craft a saddle to take to the World's Fair. He and his workers assembled the finest saddle ever made. Using flawless leather, they dyed it black, carved in American Beauty roses, and then adorned it with gold, silver, and diamonds. It was truly a leather throne.  Across the rear of the fork were several $20 gold pieces with likenesses of President Theodore Roosevelt and two governors of Nevada, John Sparks and William Nye. Other gold pieces were carved with the famous three fairy horses with diamonds set in their eyes. An engraved eagle was set into the back of the cantle. It was a leather masterpiece and it lived up to its creator's expectation by winning two gold medals. It was the best in world."

Does his quality, craftsmanship, skill, and artistic touch need any further endorsement?  The man was a master and this holster rig is no exception to his work.

The rig has space for twelve cartridges and carries two highly decorated "Mexican loop" holsters.  Also bearing Maynard's name, "KEN" has been tooled into the leather on the belt above each of one of the holsters.  This is some beautiful leatherwork that is just begging to be worn again.




There you have it friends. Each item is an exciting collectible in its own right and associated to someone considered "the best of the best" at what they do.  Both also have ties to William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, one of the most recognizable figures of the Old West and a international symbol of the era.  If items like this get your heart pumping be sure to search the rest of our catalog for all sorts of fascinating, historic, beautiful, and expertly created firearms, bladed weapons, and much more.  It can be found at www.rockislandauction.com




-Written by Joel Kolander









SOURCES:

http://www.gbcnv.edu/hickson/Garcia.html

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0562770/bio

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/63/lid/1064

http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/63/lid/3504

John Browning & The Birth of the Model 1911

The sight of a M1911 pistol evokes over 100 years of firearms history in a single glance.  Carried on the hips of thousands of G.I.s and invented by "the greatest firearms inventor the world has ever known," it has a special place in American history.  But what about its own history?  How did it come to be and how did it starts its legendary journey?  Come with us as we explore this iconic and revered pistol and then show you some prime examples of its early prototypes that will be up for sale in Rock Island Auction Company's 2013 September Premiere Auction.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OUR EARLY COLT SEMI-AUTOS!

Lot #1804: Desirable Early Colt Model 1902 Military Pattern Semi-Automatic Pistol

First things first, the M1911 was not actually "invented" in 1911.  That designation instead reflects its March 29, 1911 official date of adoption by the U.S. Army.  The journey of the semi-automatic pistol starts almost two decades earlier.  Semi-automatic pistols had already been invented long before the 1911, the first of which to enjoy any level of commercial success being the Borchardt C-93 followed soon after by Mauser's C96 "Broomhandle."  For that matter, Maxim had already patented his fully automatic machine gun midway through 1883.  That in mind, it seems that the semi-automatic, especially the 1911, was a bit behind the times.  However, the development of a U.S. made semi-automatic pistol would still be a great boon to U.S. troops.

The Philippines declared war on the United States on Jun 2, 1899.  It lasted only until 1902, but gave rise to the Moro Rebellion, a conflict that would last until 1913.  The Moro were a local tribe that lived in the southern islands of the Philippines, known for their fanatical guerrilla fighting.  The Moro were no stranger when it came to warfare., having fought the Spanish for years prior to encountering the U.S. Army.  At that time, the U.S. soldier's standard sidearm was the Colt M1892 .38 caliber double action revolver.  Unfortunately for the U.S. forces when they would find themselves locked in combat with the Moro tribesmen, they found the revolver to be unsuitable for the task.  The hand-to-hand combat weapon of choice for the Moro tribesmen were several distinct bladed weapons, most notably the kris.  When the kris was placed in the hands of a man motivated by the cocktail of hatred of occupying forces, religion, and the natural octane of adrenaline, he could do much damage to U.S. troops before he would be brought down by the smaller cartridges.  This situation was documented by one recent author, when he writes,

"In response to problems encountered by American units fighting Moro guerrillas during the Philippine-American War, the then-standard Colt M1892 revolver, in .38 Long Colt, was found to be unsuitable for the rigors of jungle warfare, particularly in terms of stopping power, as the Moros had very high battle morale and frequently used drugs to inhibit the sensation of pain."

A painting where a U.S. soldier finally wields a 1911 against the Moro.

There is speculation that the Moro would take various types of drugs before their battles, a debate that also revolves around other berserker-style warriors.  Given their Islamic religion this seems unlikely, however, it seems to be the current, popularly accepted history.  Their fierceness in battle is recalled by Gen. John " Black Jack" Pershing in a letter to his wife stating that, "the fighting was the fiercest I have ever seen.  They are absolutely fearless, and once committed to combat they count death as a mere incident."  The army tried several different sidearms to remedy this "anemic" firearms, even the 9mm Luger, but its ineffectiveness was documented in a quote of Brig. Gen. Samuel S Sumner when he said, "The Luger automatic pistol as a hunting pistol and for dress occasions is attractive and useful.  I have one which I prize highly, but for field service, in the hands of officers and men, it is a failure.  It is too complicated, and cartridges often jam, but the main defect is that the bullet will not stop a Moro."  The Army eventually reissued the M1873 Colt .45 revolvers, the "Peacemakers," as they were still plentiful.

While 1911s were not developed in time to be used against the Moro in any notable capacity, except perhaps the 1913 Battle of Bud Bagsak, the early battles against the Moro did give rise to the well-known Thompson-LaGarde field tests held in Chicago, Illinois.  The Thompson-LaGarde tests took place in 1904 to find out just which caliber of weapon the U.S. military should be using in its handguns.  These tests took place using live and dead cattle as well as some human cadavers used as ballistic pendulums!  As one can expect the tests have drawn harsh criticism for being unscientific, predetermined, as well as inhumane, but in the end the tests concluded that "the only safeguard at close encounters is a well-directed rapid fire from nothing less than a .45-caliber weapon."

John Moses Browning

This new requirement in mind, six manufacturers submitted entries into the 1906 trials to find a new military handgun.  Three of the designs were eliminated early with Colt, Savage, and DWM remaining as the sole survivors.  Improvements would gradually be made to each model and subsequent tests would be performed, but in 1910 the Browning would set itself apart from the Savage, the only remaining competitor at that time.  A test was held and personally attended by John M. Browning (JMB) himself, where the 1911 fired 6,000 rounds over the course of two days with no malfunctions; the Savage suffered 37.  The story goes that when the Colt sample became too hot it would simply be dunked in a pail of water to cool it.  The Colt would be formally adopted by the Army on March 29,1911 and was then bestowed with its famous moniker.  The initial order of 31,344 pistols would be more than one third of the entire company revenues for 1910.  There is so much more to talk about regarding the genius of Browning, the early importance that the manufacturing prowess of Colt would have for our country, Browning's other contributions to the world of firearms, and the many later roles that the 1911 would hold.  However, today we're here to show off early models and prototypes, so we'll have to hold the 1911's story to just its birth and a general one at that.  If you want the minutia of every adjustment, modification, patent, letter, and model that Browning and Colt worked on, may I recommend the book The Government Models: The Development of the Colt 1911 by William H.D. Goddard.  It is oft considered the authoritative work on the subject, is unrelenting in its thoroughness, and shows large, detailed photos of each example discussed.  Oh, and the second gun discussed in this article (Lot #1775) is from his phenomenal collection.

Rock Island Auction Company is proud to offer several Browning-Colt prototypes that were steps on the journey to this legendary firearm.  The first is a 1900 U.S. Navy contract model that features the "sight safety."

Lot #3588: Extraordinary Documented U.S. Navy Contract Colt 1900 "Sight Safety" Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter

This scarce pistol is all original and one of the first Model 1900 semi-automatic pistols produced for the U.S. Navy.  The "sight safety" is an extremely rare feature that incorporated both the rear sight of the pistol as well as the safety.  Like most safeties it worked by blocking the hammer from striking the firing pin when engaged.  The Model 1900 was the first semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Colt and also the first of JMB's successful semi-automatic pistols.  The sight safeties were an early feature and considered especially rare.  Making this particular pistol even more exception is that it is part of the original 2250 Colt contracts pistols that were shipped to the U.S. Navy in October 1900.  They were shipped in 5 lots of 50 and this pistol was in the third of them.  It lists the Colt serial number of 1146 on the right side of its frame and the Naval serial number of 146 on the left.  It's about as early as it gets regarding Colt semi-automatic production (i.e. non-prototype) pistols and this one is in excellent condition.

Sight safety visible in front of the hammer spur.  Also notice the case-hardened hammer, screw, and magazine catch.

Lot #1775: Extremely Rare Documented Colt Model 1900 Sight Safety/Browning Slide Lock Prototype Semi-Automatic Pistol

This particular Colt Model 1900 might appear very similar to the one listed above.  After all, they're both Colt 1900's, right?  Correct, to a point.  The right side of the receivers and slides look identical other than condition.  Take a good long look at the left side of the slide and receiver on this pistol.  Starting to see the differences?  There's a notch out of the slide and the addition of a small vertical, thumb operated "switch"?  That, dear reader, is the prototype for the slide lock and its release switch.  That's right!  The feature now found on virtually EVERY semi-automatic pistol!  He created it to quell the criticism that the gun required two hands to initially fire, a complaint absent from the proven, popular revolvers.  Browning personally pulled this pistol, serial #1433, from the Browning Bros. store stock and added his new, revolutionary feature after constructing it himself out of steel.  Aside from the small switch, the additional hole in the frame above the trigger, and the small notch removed from the slide just forward from the serial number, this pistol looks like any other Model 1900.  Revolutions sometimes arrive quietly.

Showing a close up of the sight safety and a inconspicuous looking slide release lever at lower left.

 During improvements JMB submitted 5 patents: parallel ruler hesitation locking, slide lock, single link barrel, grip safety, and thumb safety.  Each improvement would have its own prototype.  The pistol showing the "parallel ruler" feature resides in a Browning family collection in his hometown of Ogden, Utah, and the other three prototype pistols are in private collections.  Knowing that this gun is one of the five Browning prototypes AND fashioned by Browning's own hand, it can be easy to forget that this gun also still features 90% of the original blue finish and has the desirable sight safety.

Lot #3551: Exceptional and Rare First Year Production Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic Pistol with Low Three Digit Serial Number C183

This model should look a little more familiar to fans of the Government Model, though this pistol is anything but modern.  Timeless perhaps, but not modern.  It is a first year production of the Government Model and its condition is exquisite.  This revolver was made in 1912, and is serial number C183.  Colt would make up through C2030 that year and pistols with the "C" prefix ("C" for commercial) would only be manufactured through 1949.  The gun's condition will meet the requirements of any collector.  The finish is gorgeous and shows the deep, gorgeous, early finishing process that Colt used before the Army declared it "not durable enough."  This resulted in Colt no longer buffing the pistols to a blued mirror finish around serial no. 500 and after serial no. 2,400 the process changed greatly and the resultant finish would be gray/blue in color.  The peacock blue accented small parts add another level of eye-catching beauty to this phenomenally kept weapon.

If you miss the bid on this one, you can always catch serial number C502 in Lot 1779, still a first year production and in an equally gorgeous condition.  You could also bid on C1878 in Lot 1797, which is a second year model and as beautiful as the first two.  Colt collectors, you have been put on notice.


These are some of the highlights of the early Colt models that will be for sale in our September Premiere Firearms Auction to be held September 13th-15th, 2013, but they are far from the only ones.  We'll have another low serial number, first year production, a Russian contract, a Brazilian contract, Aces, a Singer "Tool Room Prototype," a Colt 380 vest pocket hammer pistol prototype, rare finishes, fancy grips, cased models, a test pistol, and a Colt-Jolidon semi-automatic prototype.  And those are just the Colts!  We'll also have several early Savage semi-automatic prototypes and even a DWM 1902 American Eagle "cartridge Counter" Test Luger.  You want early semi-autos?  We've got 'em at Rock Island Auction Company!

"Firing the Automatic, a snapshot somewhere in France."  Here, a Marine
demonstrates the 1911 for the French in a well-known 1918 photo.  Goddard notes
in his book that, "In the Sunday Globe Magazine, it illustrated an article entitled,
"Eight Million Shots Ready for the Hun."

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OUR EARLY COLT SEMI-AUTOS!

SOURCES:

Goddard, William H. D. The Government Models: The Development of The Colt Model of 1911. Lincoln, R.I., U.S.A.: A. Mowbray, 1988. Print.

Linn, Brian McAllister. The Philippine War, 1899–1902 (Modern War Studies [Paperback]). University Press of Kansas, 2000. Print
Sweeney, Patrick. 1911: The First 100 Years. Iola, WI: Krause Pubns, 2010. Print.

http://www.browning.com/library/infonews/detail.asp?id=301

The Pedersen Device

We here at RIAC love Winchester rifles and rightly so.  Only one manufacturer can claim the title "the gun that won the West," and played such a huge part in our "Manifest Destiny" as American settlers tamed the frontier.  However, attention must also be paid to its American firearms counterpart, Remington Arms.  Remington has produced such notable and widely-used weapons as the Model 1858 New Model Army revolver, Model 700 bolt-action rifle, the Rolling Block Rifles, and the 870 pump-action shotgun.  In fact, in 2012, the U.S. Army awarded Remington the contract to produce 24,000 of the M4A1 and has been designing other exciting guns such as the MSR, ACR, and the RSASS.

However, today's post is not going to talk about their accomplishments, but rather one of their technological marvels that never had the chance to enjoy the success it deserved.  It was a top secret military project that was completed too late to have any true effect in WWI, was mothballed for over a decade, and eventually all but completely destroyed.  The last time a Pedersen Device went to auction at RIAC with its metal carrying case (a rarity!) and an M1903 Mark I rifle capable of firing it, it sold for $48,875!  To up the ante even further, the Pedersen Device we are offering in our April Premiere Auction is even more complete than the aforementioned listing and includes everything shown below.

 Two original 40-round stick magazines, the disassembly tool, a web pouch to carry the stick magazines, which are marked "R.I.A./6-19; a web case to carry the 1903 Springfield bolt when removed from the rifle, which is marked, "RIA/1919," with an original WWI era leather sling.

And the rifle.

What a beautiful piece!  Great colors!  Not pictured: the 1906 dated bayonet

In 1917 a man named John Pedersen called Chief of Ordnance General William Crozier, a few of his Ordnance Officers and some Congressmen to Washington DC for a weapons demonstration he claimed would be of great interest to the War Department.  They were all sworn to secrecy.  At the Congress Heights Rifle Range, before his audience, Pedersen began firing ordinary .30-06 rounds through what appeared to be a standard issue Springfield M1903 rifle.  Very quickly Pedersen removed the bolt, inserted his Pedersen Device, locked it in place with the rifle's existing cut-off switch, slammed in a 40 round magazine, and began filling the air with lead as fast as he could pull the trigger.  He emptied the magazine, replaced it with a full one and repeated his feat.  After the onlookers pulled their collective jaws off the ground, they immediately gave the device a top secret clearance.  In fact, to ensure the utmost secrecy they gave the device a very lengthy and misleading name: "The US Automatic Pistol, Caliber .30, Model of 1918."  In addition to its top secret classification, it also received the immediate recommendation that 100,000 of the devices be procured for the infantry.  On March 26, 1918 that recommendation became an order placed with Remington and the number was soon upped to 133,450.  In June that same year, Pedersen adapted his device for the British Enfield M1917 and an order of 500,000 was placed to be completed once the order for the Springfields had been completed.  These were to be used in a surprise offensive against the Germans in the spring of 1919. However, since World War I was officially ended on November 11, 1918 (Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day), the Pedersen Device had no chance to truly make its impact felt on the battlefield.

Orders were cancelled, but production continued until 1920 in case further conflicts arose.  Remington eventually produced around 65,000 units in total.  In the late 1920's the M1 Garand was developed which negated the need for the Pedersen Device and in 1931 the Pedersen Device was declared surplus, five years before the M1 Garand even started production.  Existing M1903 Mk. I's were converted back to their original configuration with a now vestigial ejection port.  The government, no longer wanting to pay to store the device ordered them all destroyed.  Nearly all were burned in a large fire, resulting in less than 100 estimated to be surviving today, let alone with their full accessory kit!


More close-ups can be found in the auction listing! Click here!

Auction Description

Outstanding All Complete Model 1903 Mark I U.S. Springfield Bolt Rifle with Ultra Rare Original Pedersen Device with Metal Case Magazine Canvas Pouch and 1906 Dated Bayonet

"Wow what a fantastic find! A complete 1919 dated U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Mark I rifle rig with an original "Remington-Bridgeport" 1918 Mark I Pedersen Device that is in its entirety with the original Pedersen device metal carrying case, disassembly tool, two original stick magazines, canvas pouch for the magazines, and an original canvas pouch for the 1903 bolt when removed from the rifle. What a complete turn-key type set up. As we all know these rare Pedersen Devices were developed at the end of WWI in early 1919. They were officially designated the "Automatic Pistol, Caliber .30, Model of 1918- Mark I", and the Pedersen Device itself consisted of a semi-automatic bolt assembly and detachable stick magazine that was designed to replace the standard bolt in a modified Model 1903 Rifle, that would convert the rifle into a semi-automatic weapon. The device fired a low velocity 30 caliber type pistol sized cartridge designated the "Caliber .30 Automatic Ball Pistol". The device used a 40-round stick magazine, that would have been inserted from the right side of the receiver, with the spent cartridges ejected through the port on the left side of the receiver. The Pedersen Device was classified as a secret weapon and was intended to provide the infantry man with a close range, semi-automatic rifle for assaults on enemy trenches, but still retain the capability of converting the rifle back into a high powered, bolt action rifle for long range combat. The Army planned to introduce the Pedersen Device in the offensive against the German Army in the spring of 1919, however when  WWI ended in November 1918, the Pedersen Devices were placed in storage. In 1931 the security classification was removed from the Pedersen Device and all of the devices were ordered to be destroyed. The destruction was nearly complete as fewer than 100 Pedersen Devices are estimated to be in collections and museums today. The metal case is even more rare than the Pedersen Device itself; most existing Pedersen Devices lack the issue metal case. This Model 1903 Mark I rifle was manufactured by Springfield Armory in April 1910 and has the special "Mark I" receiver markings and the oval ejection port in the left side of the receiver. In addition to the special receiver these rifles had a special stock, magazine cut-off, cut-off spindle, trigger and sear, all required for use with the Pedersen Device. After all the Pedersen Devices were destroyed, the Mark I rifles had the special components removed and were converted back into a standard Model 1903 configuration rifle. This beautiful Pedersen Device has the original dark black-green parkerized finish with the top of the cocking piece roll-stamped: "U.S.A. 1918-MARK I/42384" in two lines on the left side, with the right side marked: "REMINGTON-BRIDGEPORT/PEDERSEN'S PAT'S. PENDING" in two lines. The U.S. Ordnance final inspection proofs of "E.E.C./Eagle Head/S28" are stamped on the back of the cocking piece. Each device was issued with a small stamped metal carrying case. The metal case has the same black green finish as the device. This super rare device is accompanied by an original, Model 1903 Mark I rifle. The receiver is marked in five lines: "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903/MARK I/1091435" and the barrel is stamped "SA/4-19". The rifle is fitted with a correct WWI Mark I finger groove stock, that has the correct lower left side, that provides clearance under the receiver ejection port; a WWI handguard and fine checkered buttplate. The stock has a small boxed "D.A.L" cartouche on the left side with a small circled "P" proof in the pistol grip area. The rifle is fitted with a correct "W L 3" marked WWI bolt. This excellent rifle still retains the original magazine cut-off, cut-off spindle, trigger and sear, as noted above. This beautiful rig is complete with two original 40-round stick magazines, the disassembly tool, a web pouch to carry the stick magazines, which are marked "R.I.A./6-19; a web case to carry the 1903 Springfield bolt when removed from the rifle, which is marked, "RIA/1919 with an original WWI era leather sling. Also included with this beautiful and very rare rifle is an original M1905 bayonet and second type leather scabbard. The bayonet is marked: "R.I.A./Shell and Flame mark/1906" with the obverse marked "U.S.". The leather scabbard has the long throat with the leather covered hanger intended for the Garrison belt. The back of the scabbard is stamped: "R.I.A./1907/E.E.B.".


What a great piece of American and firearms history!




-written by Joel Kolander

The Pedersen device installed with magazine extending skyward from the receiver.

"This goes where?"

"In total the device added 14 pounds to the infantry's standard load, although this was considered to be well worth it at the time."

SOURCES:

Hatcher, Julian S., Hatcher's Notebook, Military Service Publishing Co., 1947, Ch. 15 The Pedersen Device, pp. 361-372.

http://www.nramuseum.org/the-museum/the-galleries/america-ascending/case-57-world-war-i-allies-the-world-at-war,-1914-1918/wwi-secret-weapon-the-pedersen-device.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedersen_device

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Arms

All black and white photos from:
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/questions/Pedersen.htm