WWII US Colt 1911A1 1911-A1 SMP Marked .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2451

LSB#: 210312DW10

Make: Colt

Model: 1911-A1

Serial Number: 1727069

Year of Manufacture: 1944 (Pg. 394 of Clawson’s “Colt .45 Service Pistols”)

Caliber: .45 A.C.P.

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

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”, rampant colt, and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”, the top of the slide is marked “P”. The left of the frame below the magazine release is marked “P” and above the magazine release is marked “G.H.D.”. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No. 1727069”, “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, and at the rear there is the remnant of an Ordnance wheel mark. The barrel’s left link lug is marked “P” and the left of the barrel above the lug is marked “COLT 45 AUTO”. The left of the trigger guard has “1” and a “VP” verified proof, the right has “56”. The top of the frame is marked “G” at the disconnector. The frontstrap is marked “SMP 1075”, the right of the slide is marked “1075” and the barrel at the chamber is marked “1075”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered light nicks, scuffs, scratches, most on the right panel. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is light handling wear in the grip areas. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a scratch under the slide stop on the left of the frame with a faint arc of wear on the left of the slide above the slide stop. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation, most notable on the left-front of the slide. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear, the “G.H.D.” is stamped deeper on the bottom of the letters, incomplete on the top and the Ordnance wheel is incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is very little play between the slide and frame. This pistol has manual and grip safeties. 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 7-round magazine. The magazine has minor operational wear, scattered minor surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring, 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 example has interesting inventory markings with “SMP 1075” on the frame, and the slide and barrel having matching “1075” markings. We could not find any definitive information about these markings. There is some speculation that it is from the Shanghai Municipal Police, but there are no records of WWII issue 1911A1 pistols being sent to Shanghai and there are no import, export or foreign inspection marks on the pistol. It could be from a US police department which acquired the pistol via surplus after WWII. It should make for a fun research project for the lucky winner, and this pistol should also prove to still be a nice shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!