WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,455.00

WOA# WY240718TS007

Make: Colt
 
Model: 1911
 
Serial Number: 466213
 
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 466213″. 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 a worn number. The top of the frame is marked “8” to the right and in front of the feed ramp, “H” in front of the disconnector, and “G” behind. The barrel is marked “P” on the left link lug and “HS” on the right (WWII-era replacement).
 
Barrel Length: 5”
 
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “U”-notched rear sight dovetailed into the slide and a short rounded blade front sight fixed to the slide.
 
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece WWII-era checkered brown synthetic with reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the interior. The left panel is Coltwood, the right Keyes Fibre. The grips have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Parkerized
 
Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished
 
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion, but there is scattered stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.
 
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. Under the grips, there is some erosion under the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from tool marked with strong slots to disfigured with a usable slot. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as refurbished.
 
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has minor 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 WWII-era magazine marked “R” on 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. This pistol appears to have stayed in service at least until WWII, sporting a WWII-era replacement barrel, grips, and magazine with a parkerized arsenal finish applied. This is a nice example of the U.S. Model of 1911 that saw a long service life which will add to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

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

WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R