Colt 1911A1 1911-A1 British Lend-Lease .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
Sold For: $3,153.00
LSB#: 220526RW009
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1641838
Year of Manufacture: 1944
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 top is marked “P” in front of the rear sight. 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 1641838” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”. The left of the trigger guard has an Colt verified proof and “P”, the right has “90”. 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 “7” 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 (1959).
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a 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 Coltwood brown plastic with large reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few light nicks and scuffs, mostly in the left panel, and a light scratch on the bottom of the left panel. The checkering is well defined, generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: 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 97% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. There are some scattered minor nicks and scuffs, most not through the finish. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear, the commercial British proofs are through the finish. Overall, this pistol is in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is barely perceptible 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 blued magazine. The magazine appears to have been refinished, showing minor operational wear. The spring is strong, but the right feed lip has a short crack at the rear edge.
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 in 1959 when commercial proof marks were applied. This Lend-Lease example is in Fine-plus condition, appearing to have seen quite limited use not only while it was in British inventory, but since entering the commercial market. 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!
