WWII U.S. Colt Model 1911-A1 M1911A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol 1942-1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2275
LSB#: 220114HB002
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 806931
Year of Manufacture: Colt indicates production in 1943 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup), per Clawson, this pistol was shipped in August, 1942.
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 “W.B.” in box. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 806931” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”. The rear face of the slide, under the firing pin plate, is marked “806 / 931”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “K”, the right is marked “60”. The top of the frame is marked “G” and “2” at the disconnector. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “S” and “P” and the left of the barrel is marked “C3838-4 / D4” above the lug (Springfield post-war replacement).
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short, rounded blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown Coltwood plastic without reinforcement ribs on the inside, with mold numbers on the inside, and with reinforcing rings around the grip screws. The grips show light handling wear. There is a nick at the bottom edge of the checkering on the left panel, some small marks in the reinforcement rings around the screws and a few other scattered light marks. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the barrel is not original to the pistol.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. There is scattered even wear consistent with cleaning with a little more notable handling wear in the grip areas. There are some scattered patches of minor surface oxidation, mostly on the right of the slide and frame. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable is a cluster on the top of the slide just behind the ejection port. There is an “idiot mark” below the slide stop. 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 Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is light 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’s floorplate is marked “L” on the top, indicating production by M.S. Little. The magazine has scattered operational wear and some minor surface oxidation, 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. This example was produced by Colt in 1943 as the design saw some tweaks and changes. This pistol was made a little after the switch to parkerized finishing and has the second Coltwood grip style without interior reinforcement ribs. It has the earlier-style rounded front sight which would be replaced with a serrated, ramped rear face and a “U”-notch rear sight which would be replaced by square notches. While the grips are actually a little early for this serial range, Colt is notorious for never wasting parts. It is possible, even likely, that these grips were simply at the bottom of a parts bin and were assembled on this later gun on a day when that bin was running particularly low and hadn’t been re-stocked, yet. The hammer has the original wide-spur which would soon be replaced by a spur of the same width as the body. The slide stop, thumb safety and mainspring housing are all checkered, each of which would eventually be serrated. The barrel has been replaced, but it is a Springfield made barrel and it is possible this was an arsenal replacement. In all, this is a nice example of a late-192/early-1943 production Colt M1911A1. It was produced when the slides were still serialized, so it’s nice to know that it still has its original slide, too! The pistol is in Very Good condition, showing wear consistent with issue and use, a great bore and strong mechanics. It will make a nice addition to a Colt or WWII small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!