WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1914 C&R

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SOLD FOR: $1,352.00

WOA#: WY240406WM008

Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: 61801

Year of Manufacture: 1914

Caliber: .45 A.C.P.

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 “N^O 61801”. 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 barrel is marked “P” on the left lug, “F” on the right (WWII-era Flannery Bolt Co. barrel). 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 small square.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tall, serrated, ramped blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a tall square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide. The sights are not original to the gun.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered wood with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have light-moderate handling wear. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches including tool marks around the grip screws. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished. The barrel is not original to the gun. Some other parts may have been replaced, notably the firing pin plate has a very tight fit to the slide.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There are a few scattered spots of light erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 75% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear, more notable in the grip areas. There are light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as customized.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As noted above, the fit of the firing pin plate to the slide is quite tight. The trigger pull is crisp. The slide has minor 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 with lanyard-loop floorplate. The magazine has scattered wear and oxidation.

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 before the outbreak of the Great War, but a few years before the United States would join. The pistol has been customized with high-profile sights, a WWII-era replacement barrel and possibly a few other replacement parts. The pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished with 70% of its new finish remaining, a shootable bore and strong mechanics. This would be a nice pistol to take to the range and would be a worthwhile restoration project. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud