Colt 1911A1 1911-A1 British Lend-Lease .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1770.91
LSB#: 210930TP15
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1695607
Year of Manufacture: 1944 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)
Caliber: .45 A.C.P.
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. 911. AUG. 19. 1913”, with a rampant colt and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The left of the frame below the magazine release and the top of the slide in front of the rear sight are marked with a “P” acceptance proof. The left side of the frame above the magazine release is marked “G.H.D.”, the right behind the grip has an Ordnance mark. The right side of the frame is also marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 1695607” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”. The left of the trigger guard has an Colt verified proof and “1”, the right has “93”. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P”, the left of the barrel above the lug is marked “COLT 45 AUTO”, the bottom of the barrel is marked “D” in front of the lug. The barrel’s chamber, the right of the frame and the right of the slide have Birmingham commercial proof marks.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated, ramped rear face fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have light handling wear. There are a few light nicks and scuffs with a small loss at the bottom of the right panel toward the rear. There are no cracks. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized Frame & Blued Slide
Finish Originality: The slide has been refinished, otherwise the metal finish is Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling which should come out with a patient cleaning.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The slide’s new finish is generally strong with some scattered light nicks, mostly under the finish. The frame has some scattered light nicks and scuffs, minor oxidation in the grip areas, and the left has an “idiot mark” under the slide stop. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The frame markings are clear, the slide markings are worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as paritally refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 7-round magazine marked “S” on the top of the floorplate. The magazine shows operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring. The toe of the floorplate is slightly bent.
Our Assessment: As was the case in the previous Great War, the outset of WWII found many nations starved for small arms, procuring just about anything they could get their hands on to arm their troops. Prior to the United State’s entry to WWII, there were various methods of supplying the Allies with defense products while maintaining neutrality, the final being the Lend-Lease Act which permitted the sale, lending and leasing of defense equipment to Allied nations by the U.S. government. This Colt 1911A1’s British proof markings indicate that it is one that was sold to the British government under the Lend-Lease Act in 1944, later to be sold out of service, likely in the 1950s. This Lend-Lease example is in Very Good condition as partially refinished with original parkerized finish on its frame and a reblued slide. The bore is nice and its mechanics are strong. This would still make a great shooter, but with this pistol’s history it will also be of great interest to Colt and WWII collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!