SOLD 1917 COLT GOVERNMENT MODEL 1911…….USED BY WW1 U.S. NAVAL MEDICAL OFFICER LT Dr GRAY G.T. HOLLADAY

In 96-97% condition, we have an important example of a US World War One Private officer purchase 1917 production Colt Government Model 1911 Pistol.  This pistol was period engraved to the owner, Lt Dr. Gray Holladay USNRF (United States Naval Reserve Force) , 1870-1942 from Portsmouth, VA who served as a doctor in the US Navy being called up to active duty from the reserves in 1917 at the outbreak of war. According to the Colt Factory Letter he purchased this pistol in Philadelphia On April 7, 1917, which would make sense as he was probably reporting to the Philadelphia Naval Yard.   This pistol is 100% factory original with a mint bore.  It still of course has the factory original barrel.  This is a very fine example of a commercial Colt pistol that was pressed into war service.  Many pistols in this serial range were procured by various government agencies including the US Marshals and the Navy, so most pistols in this serial range were procured one way or another for war service.