Rare, 1 of 1,600 X-Number Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,825.00
WOA#: WY240311WOA001
Make: Colt
Model: 1911 U.S. Army
Serial Number: X1462
Year of Manufacture: 1912-1919, re-numbered 1925-1953
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “X1462”. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The left side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the dust cover. 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, 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 left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with “GHS” monogram. The top of the frame is marked with a small square to the right and in front of the feed ramp, “H” in front of the disconnector and “G” behind. The barrel is marked “P” and “H” on the top of the chamber, “5” on the bottom, and “F” on the right link-lug.
Barrel Length: 5″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered double-diamond walnut. The grips show moderate handling wear with some scattered nicks and scratches. There are tool marks around the screw heads. The checkering shows wear, but is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Slide finish is Original. The frame has been Arsenal Refurbished.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered small nicks and minor scratches. There are scattered spots of minor oxidation, mostly on the slide. The grip areas show handling wear and the action shows 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.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is 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 single 7-round magazine.
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. Regular serial production proceeded past 2.5 million by the end of WWII, but there were instances, some innocuous and others nefarious, where serial markings were worn or removed from the frame. This occurred enough that a new serial range was authorized in 1924 with X-prefixes to replace these lost serial markings. Through 1957, some 6,000 of these “X-number” pistols were marked in three separate series. This example is from the First Series of X-number guns and was refurbished by either Springfield Armory or Augusta Arsenal (it is not marked to indicate which). Numbers X1181-X4385 were assigned between 1925 and 1953, so this could have been done before, during or after WWII. It is a Model of 1911, with a straight mainspring housing and lacking the relief-cuts behind the trigger guard, changes which were made on the 1911A1. It is equipped with a WWI-era Model of 1911 U.S. Army slide that still has its original finish. These X-number pistols are scarce and an interesting area for collectors. It’s always nice to have some idea of the story behind a century old service pistol. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud