Pre-War Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1914 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,925.00
WOA#: WY240530TP035
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 70075
Year of Manufacture: 1914 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup/), shipped April 23 to Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Stewart, State of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg in a shipment of 300 consecutive pistols.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20.1897. / SEPT.9,1902 DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911.” and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”, with a Rampant Colt logo at the rear of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The right side of the frame is marked “NO 70075”. The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with a circled “WGP” (Walter G. Penfield Maj., USA Colt M1911 .45 Pistols 1909-1914) and on the dust cover with “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “5” in front of the link, the left link lug is marked “J”, the chamber is marked “P” and “H”. The top rear face of the slide is marked “H” (vertical, no serif). The flat on the top of the frame around the disconnector is marked “H”, “5” and with a diamond, there are diamonds marked just in front of the feed-ramp and on the right frame-rail next to the feed ramp. On each grip panel, the top diamond is stamped “2 9” and the bottom is stamped “G” (presumably a PA National Guard rack number).
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade. The rear sight is a “U” notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered wood with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have light-moderate handling wear, more notable on the right panel. The right panel has some smoothed checkers and a more notable ding at the front edge toward the bottom. There are some other scattered more minor marks. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips cracks. The grips rate in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is fairly evenly scattered finish wear, more notable in the grip areas the top-front of the slide, and the bottom of the dust cover. There is scattered surface oxidation. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. The slide has barely perceptible play to the frame. 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 one 7-round magazine. The magazine was two-tone, but finish is mostly gone. The body comes down flush with the lanyard-loop floorplate. There is a crack at the rear of the left feed-lip.
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 Colt Model 1911 that was made in 1914, just after the outbreak of the Great War, but a few years before the United States would join. It is one of 300 pistols shipped to the Pennsylvania National Guard on April 23, 1914, followed later by a subsequent shipment of 350 pistols. Specifically, the records indicate it was shipped to Brigadier General Thomas. J. Stewart, one of the longest serving Adjutant Generals of the PA NG. The pistol is in Good condition, showing wear consistent with its age and service. The PA National Guard is one of the oldest in the US, tracing its roots back to a unit founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1747. This would be a wonderful addition to any collection, especially for those from the Keystone State. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
