WWI Colt Commemorative Belleau Wood & Chateau Thierry 1911 .45 Pistols C&R
SOLD FOR: $2625
LSB#: 210914BW01, 210914BW02
Make: Colt
Model: WWI Commemorative Series Chateau Thierry 1911 & Belleau Wood 1911
Serial Number: 2804-CT, 2804-BW
Year of Manufacture: 1967 & 1968
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol with Removable Magazines
Markings: All the markings are gold-filled. The right side of the slide on all is marked with a banner reading “1917 / WORLD WAR I COMMEMORATIVE / 1967” and “COLT’S PT.F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”. The chamber is marked “COLT .45 AUTO” and also has a “VP” proof. The right side of the frame with the serial number. The left side of the Belleau Wood slide is engraved with a battle scene in the woods and at the rear with the Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the Chateau Thierry slide is engraved with a battle scene of a machine gun crew with a town in the background and at the rear with the Rampant Colt logo.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a ramped serrated rear face fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notched sight dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The left grip on each WWI pistol has a medallion of an American eagle marked “1917*1918 / WORLD WAR”. The right grip is marked with a medallion of an American soldier, and marked “U.S.A. / THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION” and with the names of our allies.
The left grip of the Belleau Wood pistol also has a rectangular plaque on the left grip marked “BELLEAU WOOD” and left grip of the Chateau Thierry has a rectangular plaque marked “CHATEAU THIERRY”. The Belleau Wood grips are smooth wood, there are a few little draglines and a few faint hairline scratches, the most noticeable are on the left panel at the top. The grips rate in about Fine Plus condition. The Chateau Thierry grips are checkered double diamond wood. There are a few little marks and light handling wear. The checkering is mostly sharp. The grips rate in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: These pistols retain about 97% of their metal finish. The Chateau Thierry pistol has some little nicks on the bottom of the mainspring housing. There are some little nicks on the frontstrap. There are some little scuffs and hairline scratches on the sides and top of the slide at the front. The screwheads are sharp and the markings are clear. It rates in about Fine Plus condition. The Belleau Wood pistol has a few little dings on the front strap. There are a few a few little scuffs and draglines on the slide. There is a light takedown mark on the left of the frame. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. The pistol rates in about Fine Plus condition.
Mechanics: The actions function correctly. These pistols have manual and grip safeties. We have not fired these pistols. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included are two magazines and a display case for the battle of Chateau Thierry pistol.
Our Assessment: This is a beautiful pair of Colt Government Model 1911s with high luster blued finishes and with gold-filled engraving. The pistols also have custom grips with WWI medallions and the name of the battle that particular pistol commemorates. The pistol pair is in Fine Plus condition and appears to have seen little use outside of the factory, with very minor marks. This series from Colt commemorates the four major battles our soldiers fought in World War I, the “War To End All Wars”. This pair has the Belleau Wood 1911 and the Chateau Thierry 1911 made in 1968 and 1967 respectively. This is an amazing tribute to the contribution America has made to keep the world free. Please see our pistols and good luck!