SHARP WWII Colt Model 1911A1 1911-A1, 5” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1944 C&R – .45 ACP

SOLD FOR: $3,006

LSB#: 150725LS01

Make: Colt

Model: 1911-A1

Serial Number: 1693096

Year of Manufacture: Nov. 1944 (Pg. 402 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.14,1911. AUG.19,1913” and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” and with a Rampant Colt logo in the center. The top of the slide in front of the rear sight is marked “P”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked “K” and with a “VP in a triangle. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “35”. The left side of the frame is marked with a “P” below the magazine release and with “G.H.D.” below the slide release (Guy H. Drewry Lt. Col., USA Smith & Wesson .38 Revolvers, Colt .45, 38 and .22 Revolvers and Pistols 1930-1946). The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 1693096” and “M1911A1 U.S. ARMY”. There is a very faint ordnance acceptance mark behind the right grip. The top of the frame in front of the hammer is marked “N”. The left side of the barrel lug is marked “P” and barrel above the lug is marked “COLT 45 AUTO”, identifying it as a late-war Colt barrel.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade with a serrated rear face. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered reddish brown plastic. There is a small mark in the bottom of the left grip. The checkering on the left grip is sharp and that on the right grip shows extremely light wear. There is a tiny mar in the checkering on the right grip. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: This pistol has a dark grey Parkerized finish. The mainspring housing is serrated and the trigger is finely checkered.

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is a small spot of extremely light erosion in one of the grooves near the muzzle.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. There is thinning the edges of the slide and frame with a very few light handling marks on the sides of the slide. There are two small spots of surface loss on the top of the slide behind the front sight and a single spot on the top rear of the slide in front of the rear sight. There is also a long light mark in the top of the slide and a strip of surface loss at the left front of the slide from rubbing on the frame. The edges of the mainspring housing serrations show light thinning and a few tiny nicks. The serrations on the slide are sharp. The checkering on the hammer shows light wear and the checkering on the safety and slide release is sharp. The magazine release and recoil spring plug checkering shows light wear. The grip screws are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The trigger pull is crisp. The slide is tight on the frame. The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one parkerized magazine. The floorplate is marked “RIA” and “MAGAZINE ASSY / U.S. .45 ACP. CAL.”. The magazine shows minimal wear and is in about Excellent condition, but post-war and not original to this pistol. There is also a lanyard ring on the bottom of the mainspring housing.

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 is a Colt Model 1911A1 made in Nov. 1944. It has a parkerized finish and a parkerized 7 round magazine (WWII mags were blued). The pistol is in about Fine condition with 96% of its finish remaining. There is thinning on the edges of the slide and frame and a spot of surface loss on the left front of the slide from rubbing on the frame. There are also three small spots of surface loss on the top of the slide. The grips show extremely light wear in the right grip checkering and a tiny mar in the center of the grip. The bore is mostly bright with light wear in the rifling and a small spot of very light erosion in one of the grooves near the muzzle. The parts, with the exception of the magazine, are correctly marked. This is a nice find for collectors of WWI and WWII 1911 and 1911A1 pistols. It is a very honest pistol that has seen a little use but has been well cared for and is very nice looking.

SHARP WWII Colt Model 1911A1 1911-A1, 5” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1944 C&R - .45 ACP
SHARP WWII Colt Model 1911A1 1911-A1, 5” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1944 C&R – .45 ACP