U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1914 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4850
LSB#: 210312DW12
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 105361
Year of Manufacture: 1914
Caliber: .45 ACP
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 / COLTS PT. F.A. MFG. CO.”, “SPRINGFIELD ARMORY / U.S.A.” and with a Flaming Bomb proof at the rear. The left of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and at the magazine release with a Flaming Bomb proof. The right side of the frame is marked “No 105361”. The right side of the slide is marked with an American Eagle Springfield logo and “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY.”. The bottom of the slide is marked “Q” and the inside is marked “B” in front of the locking lug slots. The left barrel link lug is marked “P”, the rear face of the barrel hood is marked “MD”. Interestingly, this “MD” marking indicates Springfield production, but there is no “S” marking visible on the barrel. The following parts have a small “S” marked on them: Hammer, Slide Stop, Thumb Safety, Grip Safety, Mainspring Housing, Trigger, Magazine Catch, Extractor, Firing Pin Stop, Sear Disconnector, and Barrel Bushing.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade integral to the slide. The rear sight is a flat-top “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. Each corner has a 0.06″ radius, typical of Springfield produced rear sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut “Double Diamond” grips. The grips show light-moderate handling wear. There are some tool-slips and light marks in the smooth diamonds. The checkering has some scattered nicks and compressions, but is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The cut for the mainspring housing pin is fit quite close, there are approximately 11 checkers between the points of the diamonds, consistent with Springfield production. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with sharp rifling. There is light erosion scattered in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 50% of its metal finish. Strongest remaining finish is in the frame flats and the slide cuts forward of the dust cover. The grip areas are mostly worn to white and there is scattered finish wear throughout. Worn areas show light discoloration from oxidation. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is an arc of wear around the slide stop on both the frame and slide. The screw heads are 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 and the slide has very little 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 one 7-round magazine with a lanyard loop on the floorplate, a blue finish with the top portion in the white and the body of the magazine coming down flush with the bottom of the floorplate. The magazine has scattered light surface oxidation, light operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Good-plus 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. Its design came from John Moses Browning with initial production by Colt. When the pistol was first adopted by the U.S. Army, an agreement was reached that US Arsenals could produce the pistol, but only after orders of at least 50,000 pistols had been received by Colt. The United States immediately ordered 50,000 pistols and set to work on a plan to produce the new model at Springfield Armory. Oddly, Colt actually didn’t have manufacturing drawings, so Springfield had to take 20 Colt production pistols, measure all of their parts, and average the dimensions of the 20 examples to arrive at their nominal dimensions, with the extremes of the measurements used for tolerances. Production would actually begin in 1914, but with the US entry into WWI becoming imminent, production was ceased in 1917 in order to focus on rifle production. A total of 25,767 Model 1911 pistols were made by Springfield and they had some interesting features to differentiate them from Colt’s production. The front sights were integral to the slide, rather than a separate part staked in place, the rear sights had a slightly different radius at their corners, and the markings were of course different. This is a Springfield Armory Model 1911 pistol made in 1914, after the start of WWI, but before the US had joined in. With the exception of the barrel, all of the markings on the parts are consistent with Springfield production. The barrel is intriguing, with an “MD” stamped on the rear of the barrel hood, a marking only used in Springfield production, but with no “S” marking which is also typical of their barrels. It is possible that this was an Arsenal oversight, as we cannot find anything else to point to non-Springfield production. The pistol is in about Very Good condition with about 50% of its original finish remaining. The Springfield made 1911s are always collectible, and this would be a great addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!