WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1914 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,580.55
LSB#: LSB250713XX008
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 101662
Year of Manufacture: 1914
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade staked to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “U” notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have fairly even light handling wear with some small nicks and light scuffing. There are a few light tool marks in the diamonds around the screws. There is a few scattered compressed checkers, but the checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and scattered stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 7/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches including a light “idiot mark” under the slide stop on the left of the frame. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are 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. The slide has little 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 single 7-round post-WWII 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. 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 shipped to Springfield Armory in October, 1914, as part of the last shipment from Colt in that year. It would of course be a few years before the United States would join the war, but it was well underway in Europe. The pistol is in Very Good condition with 70% of its finish remaining, proper markings and features for its vintage, really in quite nice condition given its age and service. This will display well in any collection and is a nice example of an early 1911. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
