Sharp & Rare WWI Springfield Armory Model 1911, Blue 5” Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1915 C&R

SOLD FOR: $4,455.00
LSB#: 150807EB01

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: 1911

Serial Number: 106136

Year of Manufacture: April 1915 (Clawson)

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 / COLTS PT. F.A. MFG. CO.”, “SPRINGFIELD ARMORY / U.S.A.” and with a Flaming Bomb proof at the rear. The left of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and at the magazine release with a Flaming Bomb proof. The right side of the frame is marked “No 106136”. The right side of the slide is marked with an American Eagle Springfield logo and “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY.”. The left side of the barrel lug is marked “S” and “P”. The underside slide flat is marked “R” the rounded section above the barrel with “C”. The underside of the slide release, the barrel bushing and the firing pin retaining latch are marked “S”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a thin rounded blade front sight fixed to the slide and a flat topped square notch rear sight dovetailed into the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut “Double Diamond” grips that are dark with oil staining. There are two small dings in the bottom surface of the right grip, a very shallow mark above the bottom screw in the left grip and tool marks around the top screw in the left grip. The checkering shows light wear without mars. There are no chips or cracks noted. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: The finish is blued.

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The grip safety and mainspring housing show light surface frosting. There is thinning on the edges of the slide and frame, around the port and the slide serrations, and on the front strap, grip safety and mainspring housing. There are light scratches on the top of the slide at the right front and light handling marks in the trigger guard and front strap. The checkering on the hammer shows moderate wear while the slide release, safety and recoil spring plug checkering is sharp to the touch. The grip screws are sharp but show marks of a screwdriver. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The trigger pull is a little stiff, but 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 magazine that was originally blued on the bottom half and “In The White” on the top half. The bottom half of the magazine shows surface loss and discoloration from heat. The top rear of the magazine has a copper color. The magazine has the copper plating that was applied by Springfield before heat treatment to retard cyanide hardening of the mag lips to prevent cracking. This procedure was not generally adopted because of the additional time and cost involved.The floorplate has a lanyard ring on its bottom and shows thinning on its front edge. The lanyard ring magazine is correct for pistols made before March 1916. The magazine is in about Good condition.

Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through 2 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 Springfield Armory Model 1911 made in 1915 and it and its small parts are appropriately marked for a Springfield Armory pistol of that timeframe. The pistol is in about Fine condition with 80% of its finish remaining. There is thinning on the edges of the slide and frame, around the port and the slide serrations, and on the front strap, grip safety and mainspring housing. There is light surface frosting on the mainspring housing and grip safety and light scratches on the right front top of the slide. The grips are dark with oil staining and show a few light marks in the smooth areas and light wear without mars in the checkering. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. This is an extremely nice example of a WWI 1911 and should be of interest to 1911 collectors and collectors of WWI and WWII military arms. The proof mark and Springfield Armory Eagle on the slide are the sharpest we have seen in a long time.