WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,500.01
LSB#: LSB250525MC024
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 282948
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade staked 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 nicks, scuffs and spots of compressed checkers. There are light tool marks in the diamonds. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Professionally Restored
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its current metal finish. There are a few light nicks and thin scratches. The face of the muzzle has been polished bright with a few tool marks outside the crown. There is minor erosion under the finish in the slide serrations. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition as refinished.
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 two-tone Risdon 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 U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. The pistol is in Fine condition as refinished, quite skillfully restored with clear markings and even a nice grain transition on the frame that looks very much like the pistol’s original finish. This is a neat example of the U.S. Model of 1911 which will add to your collection. With its decent bore and strong mechanics, it may also prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
