Colt M1911A1 .45 Auto 5” Semi-Automatic Pistol & Case, MFD 1945 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,825.00

LSB#: LSB250824GS028

Make: Colt (Note that the mainspring housing has been replaced and there may be other small replacement parts in this arsenal refurbished firearm)

Model: M1911A1

Serial Number: 2255542

Year of Manufacture: February 1945 / ATF Classification: C&R

Caliber: .45 Auto

Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Short-Recoil Operated, Fed by Detachable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with Colt’s patent dates: “PATENTED APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902 / DEC. 19. 1905. FEB. 14. 1911. AUG. 19. 1913” followed by the Rampant Colt logo and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 2255542” and “M1911A1 U.S. ARMY.”  There is no serial number marked behind the firing pin plate. The frame bears inspection marks, including “GHD”, the Colt triangle, and “P.” The barrel is marked “45 AUTO / 7791193”, “P”, and ”C”. The magazine is marked “19200- / ASSY 5508694 / MFR. 1M291”. Additional markings are found on small components.

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 left grip panel is a post-war replacement with a seven digit cage code. The right grip panel is a later Keyes Fibre, with reinforcing rings and strengthening ribs. The grips have light handling wear. The checkering is well defined with light wear on some of the peaks. There are very faint signs of tooling on the grip screws. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Arsenal refurbished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp with faint fouling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish shows light wear from handling and operation. There are a few scattered blemishes scattered throughout. The action shows operational wear. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good to Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. The trigger extends a little too far forward of the frame, but does not affect the firearms functionality. There is very 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 post-war 7-round magazine, a cable lock, and a CMP hard case.

Our Assessment: A 1945 manufacture date places this example at the very end of World War II production, when Colt and other contractors were completing some of the last pistols issued before wartime machining ceased. Pistols from this period reflect peak wartime standardization: reliable, rapidly produced, interchangeably built, and delivered in large quantities to support operations in both the European and Pacific theaters. A surviving ’45 Colt sits at a meaningful intersection of American industrial achievement and the closing chapter of WWII sidearm history — a classic fighting pistol with true period character. Be sure to check our detailed pictures for a better understanding of the firearm. -C.R.