WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,277.00
WOA#: WY240517RS001
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 537804
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left of the frame is marked with an eagle’s head over “S12” inspection mark, the left of the trigger guard is marked “22”. The right of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 537804”. The top of the frame is marked “G” and “H” around the disconnector and an “8” to the right of the feed ramp. 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 top of the barrel is marked with an “HP” monogram, the bottom is marked “G” and “C”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade staked to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and spots of compressed checkers. There are light tool marks in the diamonds. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Please note: The bottom-right grip screw is seized in its bushing, turning the screw turns the bushing in the frame. The frame and bushing threads are intact.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. Most of the balance is handling wear and discoloration in grip safety and mainspring housing. There is more minor handling wear in the frontstrap. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent minor erosion under the finish. There is discoloration on the trigger. The action shows light 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 as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has minor 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 (refinished) and a Graton & Knight M1916 holster, dated 1918 with A.G. inspector’s mark.
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.
This is a U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. This pistol’s frame has “heart” cuts under the grips, a feature which resulted from a simplified machining process to increase production during the war. The pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished, showing honest wear consistent with a military service pistol issued more than 100 years ago. This is a neat example of the U.S. Model of 1911 which will add to your collection and even comes with a 1918 dated M1916 holster. With its decent bore and strong mechanics, it may also prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
