Lot 1238

Three Pistols of Famous WWII Flight Film Director William Wyler

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Three Pistols of Famous WWII Flight Film Director William Wyler

Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000

Starting Bid: $18,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Three Historic Military Semi-Automatic Pistols Identified to Famous World War II Memphis Belle Flight Film Director William Wyler with Holsters and Provenance -A) Excellent U.S. Colt Model 1911A1 Pistol with Belt Rig Three Historic Military Semi-Automatic Pistols Identified to Famous World War II Memphis Belle Flight Film Director William Wyler with Holsters and Provenance -A) Excellent U.S. Colt Model 1911A1 Pistol with Belt Rig Offered is a set of three historic military pistols with their accompanying holsters that were carried in flight on B-17 Bomber missions, notably on board the Memphis Belle, during World War II and brought back home by famous flight film director William Wyler, offered on consignment directly from his son. An included scanned copy of a signed notarized typewritten letter of provenance dated May 7, 2026, states, "I, David Wyler, son of William Wyler, hereby attest under oath that the following items belonged to my father and have remained in continuous family possession since his death on July 27, 1981. William Wyler was born on July 1, 1902 in Mulhouse, Alsace, then part of the German Empire. He emigrated to the United States and became one of Hollywood's most celebrated directors, eventually winning three Academy Awards for Best Director. When World War II came, he felt a person obligation to contribute. After directing Mrs. Miniver in 1942 - a film specifically intended to build American public support for Britain's struggle against Nazi Germany - he sought a way to serve directly. He approached General Ira Eaker, commander of the Eighth Air Force in England, and persuaded him to allow him to join the USAAF to make a documentary about the air war over Europe. Commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Air Forces, my father flew multiple combat missions aboard B-17 Flying Fortresses based in England, personally operating his camera equipment during live bombing runs over occupied Europe, including several in the Memphis Belle. The result was the 1944 documentary Memphis Belle, the first documentary film about an air war, which became a landmark in both military and cinematic history and played a significant role in sustaining American public support for the war. My father told me that the Colt M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol was his personal service-issued sidearm during his WWII military service... following the completion of the Memphis Belle documentary, he went to France where he followed the front lines as they moved forward. Learning that his hometown was going to be liberated, he was granted permission to 'use' a military Jeep and driver for personal travel to Mulhouse. He told me that his driver on this journey was Leicester Hemingway, the younger brother of Ernest Hemingway, who was also serving in the European theater at that time. Together they drove to Mulhouse - my father's birthplace - arriving the day after its liberation in November 1944. The enclosed photographs [a few related scanned copies included] in Mulhouse were taken on that occasion (and must have been taken by Leicester Hemingway as they are personal photos). The two photos show my father in his US Army officer's uniform... His sidearm is visible in its holster... My father told me that the Walther P.38 and the CZ vz. 27 pistols were acquired by him as war souvenirs during his service in Europe. Following Mulhouse, he went to Italy, where he directed a second military documentary, Thunderbolt, about P-47 Thunderbolt fighter operations." William Wyler continued as a film director after the war and is considered to be the most decorated film director in Academy Awards history with twelve nominations. He notably directed a record thirty-six actors to Oscar-nominated performances. This 1942 production Colt 1911A1 pistol features a boxed "W.B" inspection stamp and "P" on the left of the frame, the U.S. property mark and model designation along with the serial number on the right of the frame, "4" over a Colt triangle "VP" factory proof on the left of the trigger guard, "40" on the right of the trigger guard, and a blued barrel marked "COLT 45 AUTO" on the lower left along with a "G" on bottom and a "P" on the lug. It has a pair of checkered brown plastic "Coltwood" grips with hollow interiors. Includes a "US" embossed "U.S./BOYT/43" marked leather shoulder holster, a "US" embossed "CLINTON/1918/F.W.T." marked leather holster, a canvas belt rig, and an L-D Inc. canvas double magazine pouch. Magazine absent.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1911A1

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 45 ACP

Finish: parkerized

Grips: plastic

Serial Number793501

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

B) German Mauser "byf/44" Code P.38 Pistol See "A." Manufactured in 1944, with the "byf/44" code and date markings on the slide. "Eagle/WaA135" proofed. All matching visible serial numbers. Includes a "gxy 1943" and "P38" marked leather holster and an extra magazine.

Manufacturer: Mauser

Model: P 38

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 9mm Luger

Finish: blue

Grips: plastic

Serial Number9773s

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

C) Excellent German Occupation CZ Model 27 Pistol See "A." Manufactured c. 1939-1945. "Eagle/WaA76" proofed. All matching visible serial numbers. Includes a leather holster and an extra incomplete magazine body.

Manufacturer: CZ

Model: 27

BBL: 3 3/4 inch round

Gauge: 32 ACP

Finish: blue

Grips: plastic

Serial Number67419

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: A) Excellent overall, retains 90% plus original parkerized finish, with minor holster type wear, and crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holsters and belt rig are very good. B) Very fine overall, retains 80% original blue finish, with some patches of light pitting, sharp markings and crisp grip serrations. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good. C) Excellent overall, retains 90% plus original blue finish, with very minor holster type wear, patches of minor surface pitting on the upper right of the slide, and crisp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is very good with a small tear in the magazine pouch. A truly historic grouping of pistols that were carried in live combat flight by William Wyler, the director of the iconic World War II Memphis Belle film!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000