WWI US Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,506.25
LSB#: LSB260618MR086
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 494751
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5″, WWII-era High Standard
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade. The rear sight is a flat-top “U” notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips show fairly even moderate handling wear with scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tool marks around the screw heads. The checkering is generally well defined, most worn at the bottom edges. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, the barrel is not original to the gun. Possibly Arsenal Refurbished, see Our Assessment.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore with infrequent very minor pitting. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 35% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas and slide are mostly worn to white or gone to a light patina. Finish remains mostly in the frame flats outside the grip areas and on the controls. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches with one more notable ding in the top of the frontstrap behind the trigger guard. There are odd lines scribed around the edges of the grips. There is some minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. The slide has minor play to the frame. 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 single two-tone 7-round magazines with lanyard-loop floorplate and a 1917-dated Warren Leather Goods M1916 holster.
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 Colt Model 1911 that was made during WWI in 1918. The pistol has been refinished with a replacement WWII-era High Standard barrel, but it is possible this was part of a refurbishment program given the circle-“S” marking on the trigger guard. Frequently associated with R.F. Sedgley, there is no authoritative reference for the source or significance of this marking, but it is found on pistols that have been refurbished to some degree and it is suspected that it may be from a commercial refurbishing contract. The pistol is in Good condition with 35% of its new finish remaining. The bore is decent and the mechanics are still strong. This is a pistol which has honest wear given its age and service in one of the most destructive conflicts in history, and will make a nice addition to a WWI small arms or 1911 specific collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud