Factory Prototype Colt M45A1 CQBP USMC 1911Close Quarter Battle Pistol 2014
SOLD FOR: $12804
LSB#: 230521CG002
Make: Colt
Model: M45A1 CQBP, Factory Prototype
Serial Number: 07063EGA
Year of Manufacture: 2014 (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 “COLT *** USMC”. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT GOVERNMENT MODEL”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in a triangle. The right side of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and the serial number behind and above the trigger. The right side of the dust cover is marked with a QR code and “(17V) 13629 / (1P) M1070CQBP / (S) 07063EGA” and “U.S.”. The barrel is marked “-COLT 45 AUTO N.M.-”. Firing pin retention plate is marked “1”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Trijicon blade with a slightly ramped rear face and inset tritium lamp, dovetailed to the slide. The rear sight is a square-notched Novak base with one inset tritium lamp to each side of the notch that is dovetailed into the top rear of the slide. The lamps have dimmed some, but are still useable in very low-light environments.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are textured G10 Desert Camouflage composite panels. There is no notable wear or damage to the grips. There are only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: The frame, slide and small components are stainless steel plated with IonBond Zinc Brown spec. DECO 6930.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are some scattered minor scuffs and scratches, mostly not through the finish. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger breaks crisply. A Series ’80 firing pin safety is present. The slide has barely perceptible play to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes in a two-piece craft cardboard box with serial-matching label, test-target, a total of two Wilson Combat Legendary 7-round magazines, chamber flag and a Colt Archives letter. The Colt Archives letter will be discussed in further detail in Our Assessment.
Our Assessment: On July 20, 2013, about 101 years after the 1911 was first adopted by U.S. Armed Forces, the Marine Corps adopted the M45A1 Close Quarter Battle Pistol for use by several of their Special Operations Capable units as well as their pistol shooting team. The pistol has several upgrades over the original Model of 1911, including front and rear slide serrations, night sights, accessory rail, extended beavertail grip safety, skeletonized hammer, ambidextrous thumb safety, National Match barrel and, usually, Cerakoted stainless steel slide and frame.
In 2014, a new finish was used for testing to replace the original Cerakote finish. The IonBond Zinc per spec DECO6930 was applied to twenty pistols in an attempt to address issues of durability and holster wear. The pistols were shipped to MARCORSYSCOM in Quantico, Virginia for testing. The results showed a sufficient improvement that the new finish was approved and adopted for the M45A1. The test pistols were returned to Colt and this is one of those 20. Of particular interest for Colt collectors, this specific pistol was sent to the Newington Gun Exchange in Newington, Connecticut for Paul Hochstrate who was at the time a Chief Engineer for the Colt Company.
This pistol has shockingly little wear for a gun which saw use by Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children. It retains about 98% of its metal finish, a sharp bore, crisp trigger and is in proper working order. While there are some genuine decommissioned M45A1s in the commercial market as well as regular production versions of the pistol, this is an exceedingly rare example of a documented Colt factory prototype which was sent to the United States Marine Corps for testing, sold to one of Colt’s Chief Engineers, and has since found its way to the private market, destined for a prized place in a personal collection. This pistol is a must have for any aficionado of U.S. Military 1911 pistols and is the sort of opportunity that won’t come around very often. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
