Colt M1911A1 U.S. Army .45 ACP 5″ Semi-Auto Pistol 1943 C&R w/Extra Mags
SOLD FOR: $1,925.00
LSB#: LSB260504JG001
Make: Colt
Model: M1911A1
Serial Number: 863628
Year of Manufacture: 1943 / C&R (Colt Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Auto Pistol, fed by Detachable Magazine
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 3x 7-round magazines. The magazines show operational use. There is some finish loss. Overall, the magazines rate in Fine condition.
Barrel Length: 5″
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a thin metal ramped blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a flat-top square notch dovetailed to the slide.
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 logo, and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO.” / “HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A.”. The right side of the slide is marked “Water-Police” / “Rudesheim”. There is a “VP” on the front left trigger bow. The left side of the frame is marked with Lt. Col. Guy H. Drewry’s initials “GHD” under the takedown pin, and a “P” under the mag release. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”, the serial number, “M1911A1 U.S. ARMY”. On the right front trigger bow is marked with a “73”. The barrel is marked with “HS” on the right side of the barrel link.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are a two-piece checkered Coltwood plastic. There is minor handling wear with minimal peak loss. There are no cracks or chips. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refurbished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is fouling in the grooves. There is no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its refinish. There are scattered handling scuffs and compression dings. There is thinning along the top of the slide. There is operational wear along the leading edges and the underside of the slide. The action shows operational wear. The markings are mostly clear. The lanyard ring is bent. The screw heads are lightly tooled. Overall, this pistol rates in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safeties function properly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: 3x 7-round magazine.
Our Assessment: The Colt M1911A1 was the standard U.S. military sidearm of World War II and remains one of the most collected American martial pistols. Evolving from John Browning’s original Model 1911, the A1 pattern incorporated refinements such as relief cuts behind the trigger, an arched mainspring housing, shorter trigger, improved sights, and revised grip contours while retaining the proven single-action .45 ACP operating system. Colt’s wartime production pistols are especially desirable due to their U.S. Property markings, military inspector stamps, Parkerized finish, and direct connection to WWII service. This example is particularly interesting due to its GHD-inspected frame, HS-marked barrel, Coltwood grips, refurbished Parkerized finish, and unusual “Water-Police / Rudesheim” slide marking. The frame is a commercial-style frame with Swartz safety cutout reportedly used to fill a government order adding another point of collector interest, though the Water Police marking should be treated cautiously as we have found no records or information regarding the marking, and may be a personalization.
This Colt M1911A1 is a 1943-production .45 ACP single-action semi-automatic pistol with a 5” barrel, Parkerized refinish, Coltwood plastic grips, HS-marked barrel, and three 7-round magazines. The pistol retains about 96% of its refinish with scattered handling scuffs, compression dings, slide thinning, operational wear, a bent lanyard ring, and lightly tooled screw heads. The grips rate Fine, the bore is bright with sharp rifling, fouling in the grooves, and no visible erosion, rating about 9 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The action and safeties function properly, making this a compelling WWII Colt for martial pistol collectors, 1911 enthusiasts, and buyers interested in a refurbished example with extra magazines. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY