WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2325
LSB#: 210612TP26
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 549201
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 “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 549201″. 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). The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with eagle’s head over “S12”. The top of the frame is marked “3” to the right and in front of the feed ramp, “H” to the right of the disconnector, and “G” behind. The left of the trigger guard is marked “8”. The top of the chamber is marked with an “HP” monogram, the bottom in front of the link lug is marked “5”.
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 have a few scattered light nicks with some compressed checkers in the center of the left panel. There are a few tool marks in the diamonds around the grip screws. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is some light erosion in the bore, most in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 25% of its metal finish. Finish remains mostly in protected areas such as around the sights, at edges, around and under the grips and controls, as well as on the controls. Most other areas have gone to a light patina. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs, scratches and a few patches of surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good-plus condition.
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 light wear and a few spots of surface erosion, 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 is a U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. The pistol is in Good-plus condition, retaining about 25% of its late war bluing, sometimes referred to as a “Black Army” finish, due to its darker and more matte coloring than the early Colt bluing. The frame also has “heart” cuts under the grips, a feature which resulted from a simplified machining process to increase production during the war. The pistol shows wear consistent with a military sidearm that’s more than 100 years old, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. This should make a nice addition for the 1911 collector and should still make for a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!