WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. US Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1353
LSB#: 210419MB42
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 353321
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “No 353321″, the left is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the dust cover. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902 / DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG. 19, 1913”, with a rampant colt and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The rear of the slide is marked “H” (vertical, no serifs) above the firing pin plate. The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with eagle’s head over “S6”. The top of the frame is marked “8” to the right and in front of the feed ramp, “H” and “O” in front of the disconnector, and “G” behind. The top of the chamber is marked “H” (vertical, no serifs) and in front of this with a “P”, the bottom in front of the link lug is marked “5”, the right link-lug is marked “0”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “U”-notched rear sight dovetailed into the slide and a short rounded blade front sight fixed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips show light handling wear with a few scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as likely not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: The frame is Blued, the slide and barrel have some sort of plating, possibly tin.
Finish Originality: The frame’s finish is Original, the slide and barrel have been refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion with more moderate erosion in the grooves in the top of the bore in front of the chamber.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 65% of its metal finish. The slide and barrel assemblies have generally strong plating remaining with some loss at the ejection port, around the sights, and on the rear face of the slide, showing some scattered minor surface oxidation. The frame retains strongest finish in the top portions with the grip areas showing handling wear, some other scattered finish wear and minor surface oxidation in the worn areas. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches including a scratch on the left of the frame under the slide stop. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good-plus condition as partially refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has nominal play to the frame. We did not fire 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, blued in the bottom portion and in the white toward the top. The body comes down flush with the bottom of the plate. The magazine shows operational wear and some minor surface oxidation, with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Good-plus condition. Also included is a Robert’s Arms Specialties Protecta-Gun two-piece cardboard box with a hand-written label which has this pistol’s information. The box shows little in the way of storage wear, in Fine-Excellent 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 is a U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. The pistol is in about Good-plus condition as partially refinished, retaining about 65% of its current finish. The pistol has wear that is not too bad for a military sidearm that’s more than 100 years old, though the slide and barrel assemblies have been plated with what appears to be tin. This should make a nice addition for the 1911 collector and may still make for a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!