WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2579
LSB#: 210312DW01
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 548596
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 548596”. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. 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 and under the plate with another “H” (with serif). The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with eagle’s head over “S12”. The top of the frame is marked “3” to the right and in front of the feed ramp, “H” in front of the disconnector, and “G” behind. The left of the trigger guard is marked “16”. The top of the chamber is marked “H” (vertical, no serifs) and in front of this with a poorly-struck “P”, the bottom in front of the link lug is marked “5” and “R”. The left grip panel is marked “DAS” above the bottom mounting screw.
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 checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. There are 11 +/-1 checkers between the points of the diamonds, consistent with Springfield production. The grips show light handling wear with some tool marks around the grip screws, most notable around the top screw on the left panel. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. There is a tiny loss at the bottom of the left panel toward the rear. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the barrel is earlier production than the frame (this serial range should have an “HP” monogram instead of separate “H” and “P” markings), and the hammer is of a later type.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is some light erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore, most at the muzzle-end.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is scattered light finish wear, most notable in the grip areas. The worn areas show minor discoloration from oxidation. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a more notable nick at the top edge of the right slide flat toward the front. There is a scratch below the slide stop on the right of the frame. The firing pin plate has scattered erosion. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has nominal 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 magazine, blued in the bottom portion and in the white toward the top. The floorplate has a lanyard loop and the body comes down flush with the bottom of the plate. “DJR” has been hand-scribed on the left side. The magazine shows scattered wear and minor surface oxidation, with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition.
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. This is a U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. The pistol is in about Very Good condition, retaining about 80% of its late war bluing, sometimes referred to as a “black” finish, due to its darker and more matte coloring than the early Colt bluing. The pistol has an earlier production barrel and a later production hammer, but otherwise has correct late WWI production features including the later pattern of cut at the front of the slide and tapered thumbpiece on the thumb safety. The pistol shows wear that is pretty light for a military sidearm that’s more than 100 years old. This should make a nice addition for the 1911 collector and should still make for a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!