WWII US Colt Model 1911A1 1911-A1 RIA .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R
Sold For: $2,375
LSB#: 200807DW15
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 845789
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (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 top of the slide is marked “P”. 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 “W.B.” in box. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / NO. 845789”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, flaming bomb, “F K”, “R I A” and the rear has a faint Ordnance wheel marking. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “1”, the right is marked “55”. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P”, the bottom-left above the lug is marked “COLT 45 AUTO”, the right at the chamber has three British proof marks.
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 ribs on the inside. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few light marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is minor erosion scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The balance is mostly in operational wear and edge thinning. Otherwise, there are only a few light marks. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition as refurbished.
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 light operational wear, minor surface oxidation, with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good 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. This example was produced in 1943 and was refurbished at Rock Island Arsenal, likely during the 1950s when a large number of small arms were refurbished following WWII. The pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition with much of its new parkerized finish remaining, a decent bore and strong mechanics. Interestingly, the barrel has British proof marks on it, though there are no other markings to indicate that the pistol went across the pond. Given the enormous number of parts produced for the war, it would be interesting if RIA had a British marked barrel in inventory during the refurbishing process, though it could have been added later. This will make a nice addition to a WWII small arms collection, and its British markings give it a nice distinction which could also be the subject of a fun research project. 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.
