This exceptionally rare US test pistol was designed by Grant Hammond and made by the Grant Hammond Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut in a plant owned by Liberty Motors of New Haven, an ownership that led to the nickname “LIBERTY PISTOL”. This single action, delayed blow back pistol was made circa 1917-1918 in two variations with an external hammer. The bolt included a spring loaded stop that protruded as a 3/8″ circular extension from the right side. Towards the rear was a stiff retarding spring that assisted in the final lock-up. After the last cartridge was fired, the bolt would lock open while the magazine was automatically expelled out of the pistol via a spring loaded accelerator loaded under the left panel. Inserting a loaded magazine released the bolt to a chamber the first cartridge. The gun was tested on two occasions in 1917, and then sent to Springfield Armory for additional testing in early 1918. In several respects, the gun was superior to the Colt; the Grant Hammond was more accurate and had a higher magazine capacity (8 versus 7). Unfortunately, there were a number of malfunctions during the Army and later Navy testing and concerns regarding fabrication and endurance precluded its being selected as a standard service arm. Nevertheless, the Grant Hammond was a well documented contender that was taken very seriously by the US military. This particular is pistol is a 2nd variation Grant Hammond with a 5″ round barrel (most were 6.75″), fixed front sight and drift adjustable rear sight. Unlike most second variation guns the top of receiver and the right side are unmarked. The left side marked “PATENTED MAY 4, 1915 OTHER PATENTS PENDING”. The receiver just below the bbl is numbered “13” and is repeated immediately below on the frame that has a push button magazine release behind the trigger. The magazine accelerator is in place under left grip. Original unnumbered wood panels. Replacement Llama magazine, serving as a “placeholder” that does not secure or function with the accelerator. A super rare gun, total production of both the first and second variation Grant Hammond was fewer than 20 pistols.
Synopsis:
Extremely Rare Grant Hammond, U.S. Military Test, .45ACP, 5″ barrel, with replacement magazine.
Condition:
Better than 98% high polish salt blue refurbishment with sharp edges, flat planes, and crisp lettering. Oil darkened original grips, faded grip screws. Excellent replacement magazine. Bright bore with sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics except related to magazine securement and accelerated ejection. A phenomenal pistol, in an unusual barrel length, a key gun to every U.S. Military pistol collection.
Grant Hammond, U.S. Military Test, 13, A-1451
$22,500.00
Extremely Rare Grant Hammond, U.S. Military Test, .45ACP, 5″ barrel, with replacement magazine.
Check out the Forgotten Weapons video on the rare Grant Hammond (link)!
1 in stock
Description
Description:
This exceptionally rare US test pistol was designed by Grant Hammond and made by the Grant Hammond Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut in a plant owned by Liberty Motors of New Haven, an ownership that led to the nickname “LIBERTY PISTOL”. This single action, delayed blow back pistol was made circa 1917-1918 in two variations with an external hammer. The bolt included a spring loaded stop that protruded as a 3/8″ circular extension from the right side. Towards the rear was a stiff retarding spring that assisted in the final lock-up. After the last cartridge was fired, the bolt would lock open while the magazine was automatically expelled out of the pistol via a spring loaded accelerator loaded under the left panel. Inserting a loaded magazine released the bolt to a chamber the first cartridge. The gun was tested on two occasions in 1917, and then sent to Springfield Armory for additional testing in early 1918. In several respects, the gun was superior to the Colt; the Grant Hammond was more accurate and had a higher magazine capacity (8 versus 7). Unfortunately, there were a number of malfunctions during the Army and later Navy testing and concerns regarding fabrication and endurance precluded its being selected as a standard service arm. Nevertheless, the Grant Hammond was a well documented contender that was taken very seriously by the US military. This particular is pistol is a 2nd variation Grant Hammond with a 5″ round barrel (most were 6.75″), fixed front sight and drift adjustable rear sight. Unlike most second variation guns the top of receiver and the right side are unmarked. The left side marked “PATENTED MAY 4, 1915 OTHER PATENTS PENDING”. The receiver just below the bbl is numbered “13” and is repeated immediately below on the frame that has a push button magazine release behind the trigger. The magazine accelerator is in place under left grip. Original unnumbered wood panels. Replacement Llama magazine, serving as a “placeholder” that does not secure or function with the accelerator. A super rare gun, total production of both the first and second variation Grant Hammond was fewer than 20 pistols.
Synopsis:
Extremely Rare Grant Hammond, U.S. Military Test, .45ACP, 5″ barrel, with replacement magazine.
Condition:
Better than 98% high polish salt blue refurbishment with sharp edges, flat planes, and crisp lettering. Oil darkened original grips, faded grip screws. Excellent replacement magazine. Bright bore with sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics except related to magazine securement and accelerated ejection. A phenomenal pistol, in an unusual barrel length, a key gun to every U.S. Military pistol collection.
Additional information
A-1451
FFL, CNR
13
.45 ACP
Grant Hammond
United States
WWI, pre WWII
United States
Related products
Colt 1911, First Year Production!
$12,500.00 ReserveMauser HSc, Nazi Navy, 4th variation.
$2,995.00 ReserveH&R Model Hunter Revolver, .22RF, 121530, A-1618
$1,195.00 Reserve