Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP 5″ Semi-Automatic Pistol MFD 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,926.00
LSB#: LSB260625TP006
Make: Colt
Model: Model of 1911 U.S. Army
Serial Number: 292075
Year of Manufacture: 1918 / C&R (Colt Serial Lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Auto Pistol with Detachable Magazine
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 7-round magazine. The magazine shows operational use. Overall, the magazine rates in Very Good condition.
Barrel Length: 5″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short thin metal blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a flat-top square notch dovetailed to the slide.
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”, the Rampant Colt logo, “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO.” / “HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.”. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The rear of the slide above the firing pin is marked with an inspector mark. The left side of the frame is marked with “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and “JMG” inspector mark near the magazine release. The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number. There are inspection stamps on the interior of the frame.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are a two piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds. There are minor handling marks and compression dents. While the checkering is defined, there is peak loss throughout. There are no cracks or chips. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with defined rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its original finish. There are scattered scratches and compression marks across the metal surfaces. There is finish loss at the muzzle, leading edges, and the backstrap. There is scattered corrosion along the frame and slide. There is operational wear visible. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear and legible. There is a lanyard loop attached to the base of the frame. Overall, this pistol rates in Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safeties function properly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: 1x 7-round magazine
Our Assessment: The Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army is one of the landmark American military handguns, adopted by the United States after the 1911 trials and built around John Browning’s short-recoil, single-action design. Chambered in .45 ACP and using a 7-round detachable magazine, the pistol offered U.S. troops a powerful, durable, and fast-handling sidearm that would go on to serve through World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. Colt-produced WWI examples are especially desirable to U.S. martial handgun collectors because they represent the first major wartime production period of the 1911, with “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” frame markings, “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” slide markings, lanyard-loop frames, walnut double-diamond grips, and inspector-marked military acceptance features. This example was manufactured in 1918, placing it directly in the WWI production period, and the JMG inspection mark, clear Colt slide markings, lanyard loop, and strong remaining original finish all add to its collector appeal as a period U.S. Army Colt.
This Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army is a C&R-eligible .45 ACP single-action semi-automatic pistol with a 5” barrel, blued finish, fixed sights, checkered walnut double-diamond grips, lanyard loop, and one 7-round magazine. The pistol retains about 90% of its original finish with scattered scratches and compression marks, finish loss at the muzzle, leading edges, and backstrap, scattered corrosion on the frame and slide, and visible operational wear. The grips rate in Very Good condition with minor handling marks, compression dents, defined checkering, peak loss throughout, and no cracks or chips. The bore is bright with defined rifling and no erosion, rating about 9 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The action and safeties function correctly, and the included magazine rates in Very Good condition with operational use. This pistol should appeal strongly to Colt collectors, U.S. military handgun collectors, WWI arms enthusiasts, C&R buyers, and advanced 1911 collectors looking for a 1918-production U.S. Army Colt with clear markings and strong original finish. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY