WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2000
LSB#: 220426EB018
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 304529
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “No 304529″. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The left side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the dust cover. 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 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 “S11”. The top of the frame is marked “8” to the right and in front of the feed ramp, “H” in front of the disconnector, “7” to the right, and “G” behind. The left of the barrel is marked “COLT 45 AUTO”, the bottom is marked “G”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a round blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. There are a few scattered light nicks and handling marks. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: It’s not clear if the finish is a thin parkerizing or an old cold blue. It has a somewhat gray-green color, but the condition of the markings doesn’t imply much if any buffing. Please see photos for a better understanding of the finish.
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The lands are semi-bright, the grooves are gray. The rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered light erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves, and there is some minor pitting in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is fairly uniform in coloring with just a little mottling, some from wear. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches with a couple more notable marks in the frontstrap and the mainspring housing. There are infrequent spots of minor surface oxidation. The grip areas show minor handling wear. 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 Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has little 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. The magazine has some scattered light scuffs, scratches and operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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. The design was the end-result of a series of developments by famous gun designer John Browning, starting with the Model 1900. The advances made by Browning were revolutionary at the time, and were so successful that they are considered commonplace today. Browning not only developed first a pivoting and then a tilting barrel to allow for a locked system, he developed the concept of “the slide”, which is now synonymous with semi-automatic handguns. This is a U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. The pistol has been refinished and had its grips replaced, as well as its barrel, but the markings have been remarkably well preserved. Even the transition from vertical grain to horizontal on the frame can be seen fairly clearly, so the pistol couldn’t have been in very bad shape when it was refinished. This is a neat example of the U.S. Model of 1911 and would be a great candidate for restoration. Please see our photos and good luck!