WWI US Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,551.00
LSB#: LSB260618MR083
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 158504
Year of Manufacture: 1917
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5″, chamber hood marked “P” and “H”, sans-serif, vertical.
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 light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Very Good condition.
Note: The bottom-left grip screw is seized in its bushing, turning the screw head turns the bushing in the frame, threads intact.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with sharp rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore with some minor pitting. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most notable finish loss is handling wear in the grip areas and wear along the top-left of the slide in front of the serrations. There is some scattered very minor surface oxidation. There are a few light scuffs and a few other minor marks. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. The slide has light 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 and a leather M3 shoulder holster stamped “W.W. DONNELLY”. The belt-loop snap at the bottom of the holster is damaged.
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 1917. The pistol has a brushed blue finish that was instigated in 1917 because the Army thought the bright blued finish was not durable enough. The pistol is in Very Good condition with 75% of its original finish remaining. The bore is decent and the mechanics are still strong. This is a pistol which has light, 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