WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol MFD 1918 C&R

Sold For: $1700

LSB#: 201116DR25

Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: 431771

Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the dust cover is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”, the right of the frame is marked “No 431771”. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U. S. ARMY”. The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902 / DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG.19,1913”,with a Rampant Colt logo and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The rear of the slide is marked “H” (vertical, no serifs) above the firing pin plate, under the firing pin plate is an “H” with serifs. The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with eagle’s head over “S5”. The top of the frame is marked “8” to the right and in front of the feed ramp, “H” in front of the disconnector and “G” behind. The barrel is marked “S” and “P” on the left link lug (post-WWI Springfield field replacement barrel).

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “U”-notched rear sight dovetailed into the slide and a short rounded blade front sight fixed to the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut panels with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have light-moderate handling wear with the most notable wear in the smooth diamonds. There is a patch of compressed checkers between the diamonds on the left grip panel and a few other scattered light marks. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Good-Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the barrel is not original to the pistol.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The ejection port has been flared, the relieved portion left in the white. The grip areas show handling wear with some discoloration from oxidation. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs, scrapes and scratches with some minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The inside of the slide is roughly machined. The frame has “heart” cuts under the grip panels, typical of production from serial 375000 to the end of WWI production. 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. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has nominal 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 magazine. The top portion of the magazine is in the white with the rest blued. The magazine has light operational wear and some surface oxidation with a strong spring and intact feed lips, in about Very Good condition.

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. This is a U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. The pistol is in about Very Good condition, retaining about 87% of its late war bluing, sometimes referred to as a “black” finish, due to its darker and more matte coloring than the early Colt bluing. The pistol has a nice bore in its field replacement barrel and shows wear that is pretty light for a military sidearm that’s more than 100 years old. Apart from the flared ejection port, it also has proper configuration for a late-war production 1911. This should make a nice addition for the 1911 collector and should still make for a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!