SOLD - Rare 1940 Colt M1903 Pocket Hammerless - Royal Netherlands Indies Ordnance

Description

12/6/22 - This is a rare and remarkable Colt 1903 Automatic that was shipped to the Royal Netherlands Indies Ordnance on October 29,1940 in shipment of 200 such pistols. The Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) was the military force charged with control and protection of Dutch colonies in Asia (present day Indonesia). When the Netherlands fell to the Nazi invasion in Europe in May of 1940, the KNIL was largely cut off from supply and support of the Dutch government who was forced to flee in exile to England. Facing immanent invasion by the Japanese forces, the KNIL had to obtain weapons and supplies from outside their previous supply chains. This gun was shipped from the Colt Factory as part of that re-supply effort five months after the Netherlands had fallen to Germany. In the Dutch East Indies Campaign of 1941-42 the KNIL was quickly overrun and defeated by the Imperial Japanese Army. Many KNIL soldiers were interned as POWs, while some fragments of the NNIL were involved in subsequent guerilla warfare against the Japanese. How this specific gun survived is unclear. But its existence is a very interesting part of World War II history that spans both the European and Pacific theaters. This particular gun comes with a Colt factory letter stating it was delivered to the RNIO on October 29, 1940. is all matching and has retained about 98% of its original high polish finish. There is very minor wear around the muzzle and high edges. One tiny spot of wear on the left side of the slide. A few tiny scratches here and there and some light scratching wear on the front strap. Fitted with excellent period-correct wood grips. Comes with one proper magazine. Mint bore.