Product Details
COLT
A .45(ACP) SEMI-AUTOMATIC SERVICE PISTOL, MODEL '1911', serial no. C33853,
for 1916, with 5in. barrel, blued slide with replacement open sights, blued frame marked 'GOVERNMENT MODEL' and inspectors mark 'J.J.', smooth mainspring housing with grip-tape applied (also applied to front-strap), after-market trigger-shoe and 'double-diamond' type chequered walnut grips (much finish remaining, missing magazine)
Provenance: This Lot is accompanied by a sheath of papers relating to a previous owner, Major Alexander Konstanty Ihnatowicz, K.M.C. of the Polish Army who served with the British S.O.E. (Special Operations Executive) during the last war.
It is recorded that Ihnatowicz escaped from Poland and travelled to France via Hungary, where he reported to Bessier Barracks in Paris. When France capitulated he, and other members of hs unit, crossed the channel to Britain. He spent the first years of the war instructing in the use of many types of allied and German small arms and was considered to have a great technical ability in this field.
He was able to use his own training and abilities when, in the latter stages of the war, he was parachuted behind enemy lines to assist a guerrilla unit in occupied France. He was awarded the King's Medal for Courage in recognition of his services.
Estimate £500-700
S5