WWII U.S. Colt Model 1911-A1 M1911A1 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2054
LSB#: 220108HC008
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 938837 (this serial number is in an over-lap between Remington Rand and Colt, but the frame markings confirm it is a Colt frame)
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Detachable Magazine Fed with (aftermarket) Full-Length Guide Rod (no magazine included)
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 right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 938837” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”. The rear face of the slide, under the firing pin plate, is marked “938 / 837”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “8”, the right is marked “41”. The top of the frame is marked with a large “G”, and smaller “Y” and “G” at the disconnector. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “TZ 03 P”, the right lug is marked “M” and the chamber is marked “.45 AUTO / 7791193 / 85”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short, ramped blade with a serrated rear face 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 Coltwood plastic with reinforcement ribs on the inside and with large reinforcing rings around the grip screws. Oddly, the bottom-left reinforcement ring is not raised, but recessed. There are mold number markings on the inside where the ribs cross. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few scattered light marks. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Note: The bottom-right grip screw is seized in its bushing. Turning the screw head turns the bushing in the frame. Both the frame and the bushing threads are stripped at this location.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: There are no inspector’s initials on the left of the frame. Otherwise, there is no evidence that the pistol has been refinished. The barrel and guide rod are replacements. Please see our photos.
Bore Condition: The chrome-lined bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some no erosion in the bore, but there is some light, stubborn fouling.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are a few scattered minor marks, most notable are on the top and bottom edges of the right slide flat about mid-way between the ejection port and the front of the dust cover and a light “idiot mark” under the slide stop. The action shows light operational wear. There is a spot of faint surface erosion near the bottom of the frontstrap. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the “No” preceding the serial number is quite shallow. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did note during our inspection that the full-length guide rod assembly makes reassembling the pistol after a field-strip somewhat challenging. The trigger pull is crisp. There is 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.
Note: The bottom-right grip screw is seized in its bushing. Turning the screw head turns the bushing in the frame. Both the frame and the bushing threads are stripped at this location.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None. Please note, no magazine is included with this pistol.
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 by Colt in 1943 as the design saw some tweaks and changes. This pistol was made after the switch to parkerized finishing and has the third Coltwood grip style with reinforcement ribs. It has the later iron sights with a serrated, ramped front and square-notched rear. The hammer has the original wide-spur which would soon be replaced by a spur of the same width as the body. The slide stop, thumb safety and mainspring housing are all checkered, each of which would eventually be serrated. It was produced when the slides were still serialized, so it’s nice to know that it still has its original slide, too! The pistol does have one odd feature, or rather lack of a feature. To all appearances, this pistol has original parkerized finish (and lots of it!). However, left of the frame is missing an Ordnance inspector’s initials. It is not uncommon to see the United States Property marking removed due to a misguided notion that it was illegal to be in possession of a firearm so marked, however we’ve never seen an inspector’s initials removed and we cannot come up with any explanation as to how they would be missing from a 1911A1 frame. The barrel has been replaced with a post-war, chrome-lined barrel and the pistol has been equipped with a full-length guide rod. It is otherwise a very nice example of a 1943 vintage Colt 1911A1. It will make a nice addition to a Colt or WWII small arms collection, and trying to discover the reason for the missing marking may make for a fun research project. Please see our photos and good luck!