WWII U.S. Colt Model 1911-A1 M1911A1 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3525
LSB#: 221025TS001
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 2264083
Year of Manufacture: 1945 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
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”, rampant colt, and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”, the top of the slide is marked “P”. The left of the frame below the magazine release is marked with a “P” acceptance proof, the left side of the frame above the magazine release is marked with “G.H.D.”. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 2264083” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” with an Ordnance wheel marked behind the top of the grip. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “4”, the right is marked “35”. The top of the frame is marked “B” at the disconnector. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P”, the right lug has a “C” in square, the bottom of the barrel is marked “7” in front of the lugs.
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 two-piece checkered brown plastic with reinforcement ribs on the inside and reinforcing rings around the grip screws. The grips have minor handling wear with a patch of light wear above and in front of the bottom mounting screw on the right panel and light tool marks in the reinforcing rings. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus 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. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 9 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950’s.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. The finish is generally strong throughout with some scattered minor nicks and scuffs. There is a minor “idiot mark” under the slide stop. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is incomplete, as is common. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition as refinished.
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 total of two 7-round magazines. One magazine is marked “R” on the top of the floorplate, having a couple of patches of surface erosion, light operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring. The other magazine is unmarked, having some minor 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. There were some tweaks to the original design including a shorter trigger, relief cuts to each side of the trigger on the frame and an arched mainspring housing, resulting in the 1911A1.
This example was produced by Colt in 1945 toward the end of WWII. The pistol is in Fine condition as refinished, retaining about 97% of its current metal finish, a great bore and strong mechanics. It will make a nice addition to a Colt or WWII small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
