Colt Model Of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP 5” Semi-Automatic Pistol 1915–1916 WWI

SOLD FOR: $1,675.00

LSB#: LSB250801KW026

Make: Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company

Model: Model of 1911 U.S. Army

Serial Number: 113589

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1915–1916 (World War I production; in the Major Gilbert H. Stewart inspection range) C&R

Caliber: .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol)

Action Type: Single-Action, Semi-Automatic, Detachable Box Magazine

Markings: Left slide shows the patent line “PATENTED APR. 20, 1897…AUG. 19, 1913” with Rampant Colt and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” Right frame is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” with serial “No 113589.” Left frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and bears the circled GHS cartouche behind the grip panel. Additional marks noted include “D D4” on the slide flat and “AA” on the right side of the frame behind the trigger guard. The AA stamp denotes a U.S. Augusta Arsenal post-WWII rebuild. Magazine floorplate marked “COLT .45 AUTO.”

Barrel Length: 5″

Sights / Optics: Rounded blade front; square-notch rear—correct WWI-era pattern.

Grips: Checkered brown plastic stocks (WWII-era replacements commonly fitted during arsenal programs).

Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Arsenal refinish (Augusta Arsenal)

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with defined rifling and light fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: Strong Parkerized coverage with expected thinning on contact points, scattered handling marks, and clear, legible legends and proofs. Edges remain generally crisp; small parts show ordinary service wear.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Safeties, trigger, and slide operation are proper. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: One Colt-marked magazine.

Our Assessment:
Early, war-accepted Colts in the GHS range occupy a special place with collectors: Major Gilbert H. Stewart’s circled cartouche appears on approximately serials 101,500–230,000, covering much of Colt’s WWI delivery (see Clawson, Colt .45 Service Pistols; Poyer, The Model 1911 & 1911A1). This pistol sits squarely in that block, retaining its government legends and the correct “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY” right-side marking that defines the original configuration before the M1911A1 updates.

Chambered in .45 ACP, John M. Browning’s service cartridge adopted with the M1911, this round balanced controllability with fight-stopping authority and proved itself from the Punitive Expedition through two World Wars. Its longevity in U.S. service—and in civilian use—speaks to a design that got the fundamentals right from the start (see Canfield, U.S. Military Automatic Pistols).

Importantly, this frame bears a crisp “AA”—the Augusta Arsenal rebuild stamp—signaling a government overhaul with Parkerized finish and updated stocks as part of the WWII reissue effort. Augusta Arsenal performed these programs primarily circa 1943–1945 and into the immediate postwar years, ensuring proven WWI pistols returned to serviceable condition for training and stateside use (Augusta Arsenal rebuild conventions summarized in Clawson; Poyer; Canfield). The combination of WWI acceptance (GHS), correct government legends, and a documented AA arsenal refinish gives this Colt honest, two-era ordnance appeal—exactly the kind of history-in-hand that rewards both study and stewardship.

KF