WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1425.89
LSB#: 210419MB25
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 256548
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “No 256548”, the left is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the dust cover. 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 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. The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with “JMG” in circle. The top of the frame is marked “8” to the right and in front of the feed ramp, “H” in front of the disconnector, “R” to the right, and “G” behind. The top of the chamber is marked “H” (vertical, no serifs) and in front of this with a “P”, the bottom in front of the link lug is marked “X”. The bottom of the left panel is marked “N”.
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 with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips show light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a tiny loss at the top-front corner of the left panel. There are some tool marks in the smooth diamonds. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion with more moderate erosion and pitting at the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is scattered wear, most not through the finish. There is some more notable scratching around the serial marking. There is some scattered minor erosion under the finish. 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 Good condition as refinished.
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, blued in the bottom portion and in the white toward the top. The body comes down flush with the bottom of the plate. The magazine shows light operational wear and infrequent minor surface oxidation, with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition. Also included is a Robert’s Arms Specialties Protecta-Gun two-piece cardboard box with a hand-written label which has this pistol’s information. The box shows little in the way of storage wear, in Fine-Excellent 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 Good condition as refinished, retaining about 85% of its new parkerized finish. The pistol has wear that is not too bad for a military sidearm that’s more than 100 years old. This should make a nice addition for the 1911 collector and may still make for a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!