WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,350.00
LSB#: LSB250612KP003
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 264157
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade staked to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown synthetic panels with reinforcement ribs on the interior. The right panel is Keyes Fibre with small reinforcement rings around the screws, the left is Coltwood with large reinforcement rings. The grips have only a few minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished. The barrel is a WWII-era High Standard replacement. Some other parts may have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with shapr rifling. There is some light erosion and stubborn fouling scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 75% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some other scattered finish wear, most notable at leading edges. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with a couple of more notable nicks around the edges of the ejection port. There is infrequent light surface oxidation. There is a little minor erosion under the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear. The US Property and inspector’s markings have been removed. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished and not parts-original.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has light 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 M.S. Little magazine
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 a U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. The pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished, showing signs of use since its new blue finish was applied. The WWII High Standard replacement barrel has a decent bore and the mechanics are strong. If the collectors pass, it may also prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
