U.S.M.C. Colt 1911, Iwo Jima Combat Photographer Sgt. Arthur Kiely Sidearm for Auction

Historic U.S.M.C. Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with numerous accessories Documented as the Service Gear of an Iwo Jima Combat Photographer, Sgt. Arthur Kiely . This specific colt 1911, serial number 215883, is a highly desirable documented U.S.M.C. 1917 shipped pistol, inspected by Gilbert Smith, with a flat top rear sight short after marked trigger, “R”, two tone magazine and replacement conjoined HP barrel, 45 ACP cal. 5 inch round bbi. Blue finish, checkered grips.

Per the included documentation , this Colt 1911, Iwo Jima map and the included gear were the personal equipment of Arthur J. Kiely Junior of West Hartford, Connecticut. Born in 1918, Kiely was already a photographer in civilian life when he volunteered for the Marine Corps.

Assigned to Pearl Harbor in 1943 following training, he met the legendary Lt. General Holland M. Smith of the U.S.M.C., who took a liking to the young photographer and brought him onto his staff. From there on they established a close bond and friendship.

For the General there were two things that were calming : his constant cigars and Arthur Kiely’s observations. Dubbed ‘Howling Mad’ in his younger days and a veteran of action in Latin America, Belleau Wood and the Rhine in WW1, Smith’s leadership in World War II marked him out as one of the top minds in the field of amphibious warfare, responsible for landings in the Aleutians, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.

Under General Smith’s command Kiely documented conditions in some of the roughest areas of America’s “Island Hopping “campaign. 

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