WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,354.67
WOA#: WY240530TP048
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 481622
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “No 481622″. 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”, with a 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 an eagle’s head over “4” inspection mark. The top of the frame is marked “G” behind the disconnector and “H” in front of it with “8” to the right of the feed-ramp. The left of the trigger guard is marked “57”. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “6”, the bottom is marked “&” in front of the lugs, the top of the chamber has an “HP” monogram.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable on the bottom faces. There is some discoloration from age and oil. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Note: The top-left grip screw bushing is stripped. The frame threads appear intact, but the bushing turns freely in the frame.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is even light-moderate erosion throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered minor thinning on the slide’s finish. There are some light nicks and scratches. There are infrequent spots of erosion under the finish, mostly concealed when assembled. As noted above, the top-left grip screw bushing is stripped. 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 refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has light play to the frame. We did not fire 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 two-tone magazine, the body comes down flush with the floorplate.
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 U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. The pistol has been refinished, so it looks great for its age. This is a neat example of the U.S. Model of 1911 which will add to your collection, but should also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
