Pre-WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1913 C&R

More All Sold Items

Sold for $4054.28

Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: 20167

Year of Manufacture: 1913 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup), shipped January 23 to Benicia Arsenal

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the dust cover is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”, the right of the frame is marked “No 20167″. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U. S. ARMY”. The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20.1897 / SEPT.9.1902. DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911”, “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” and behind the serrations with a rampant colt. The rear of the slide is marked “H” (vertical, no serif) above the firing pin plate. The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with a “WGP” in circle (Walter G. Penfield Maj.). The top of the frame is marked “H” and “V” at the disconnector. The barrel is marked “5” on the bottom in front of the link lugs, the rear face of the chamber hood is marked “H” (vertical, no serifs).

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a round blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a round-top “U”-notch sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The left panel has light handling wear with a few light nicks and scratches. Its checkering is well defined. The right panel has more moderate handling wear, scattered nicks and scratches, and its checkering shows more wear, but is still visible except at the bottom edge. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: The frame has been refinished. The slide’s finish is Original. Some small parts have been refinished and/or replaced.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion and infrequent minor pitting.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 93% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. The slide’s frame is generally strong throughout with some minor nicks and scratches and infrequent spots of minor surface oxidation. The frame has some similar minor nicks and scratches, a few more spots of minor oxidation and there is some minor erosion which is mostly concealed by the grips when installed. The frame’s finish has some areas which have an iridescent appearance. There is some scraping under the finish at the United States Property marking. The grip areas have light handling wear which shows discoloration from oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in 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 nominal 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 with a lanyard loop floorplate, the top portion finished in the white, and the body comes down flush with the bottom edge of the floorplate. The magazine has operational wear, minor surface oxidation, 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 an early example of a 1911, made in 1913 before the outbreak of the Great War. The pistol has been refinished, so it looks great for its age, retaining a good bore and strong mechanics. This early 1911 will be a nice addition to any collection and is one you wouldn’t necessarily feel bad for taking out to the range to fire it. Please see our photos and good luck!