WWII U.S. Colt Model 1911-A1 M1911A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2775
LSB#: 211027RY03
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1638101
Year of Manufacture: 1944 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
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. 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 with a “P” acceptance proof, the left side of the frame above the magazine release is marked with “G.H.D.”. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 1638101” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY” with an Ordnance wheel marked behind the top of the grip. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “e”, the right is marked “73”. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P” and the barrel above the lug is marked “COLT 45 AUTO”, the bottom of the barrel is marked “F” in front of the lugs.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade with a serrated, ramped rear face, fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown Coltwood plastic with reinforcement ribs on the inside and with large reinforcing rings around the grip screws. There are mold number markings on the inside where the ribs cross. There are a few minor marks in the reinforcement rings and the left panel has some light nicks on its bottom flat. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished, possibly Arsenal Refurbished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves along the edges.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at most edges. There are a few minor nicks and scuffs with some more notable tool marks at the slide stop where there is also an “idiot mark”. The frontstrap has some spots of minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is incomplete and the rampant colt marking is deeper at the bottom, lighter toward the top. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is minor 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, marked “C-S” on the bottom of the floorplate and “S” on the top. The magazine has faint operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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. There were some tweaks to the original design including a shorter trigger, relief cuts to each side of the trigger on the frame and an arched mainspring housing, resulting in the 1911A1. This example was produced by Colt in 1944 toward the end of WWII. The pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition, retaining about 95% of its current metal finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. It will make a great addition to a Colt or WWII small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!