Argentine Navy Marked Colt 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol 1945 C&R
Sold For: $2,026.02
LSB#: 200807DW14
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 2256949
Year of Manufacture: 1945 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20,1897-SEPT.9,1902 / DEC.19,1905-FEB.14,1911-AUG.19,1913”, rampant colt, and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The left of the frame below the magazine release is marked with a “P” acceptance proof, the left side of the frame above the magazine release is marked with “G.H.D.”. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 2256949”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” and the rear has a faint Ordnance wheel marking. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “K”, the right is marked “35”. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P”, the right is marked “HS”. The top of the slide has an Argentine crest stamped through the finish over the top of a “P”, the right has an “RAA” monogram (Republica Armada, Argentina).
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated ramp fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have minor handling wear with some tool marks around the grip screws. The checkering is generally sharp with a few individual blunted checkers. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are some scattered light nicks, scratches and scuffs. The trigger guard, frontstrap and mainspring housing show light handling wear. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear with some inspection marks shallow or incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is very light play between the slide and frame. This pistol has manual and grip safeties. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 7-round magazine. The magazine has minor operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. While most think of the US Military when it comes to the 1911, the design was also licensed out to Argentina for their Model 1927 pistol which would later become the Ballester-Molina. This pistol is a WWII Colt production 1911 which has Argentine markings on its slide. Post-war, there were a number of surplus arms sold to various nations as the US Military drew down from the wartime build up, and it appears that the Argentine navy purchased some 1911A1 pistols, this being one example. The pistol is in about Very Good condition with much of its new parkerized finish remaining, a nice bore and strong mechanics. This would be a nice addition to a WWII sidearm collection and would also be nice to display with an Argentine 1927 and Ballester-Molina. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R Pistol CAN be sold as a dealer sale in California and CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) as our Simi Valley location. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
