WWI US Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1914 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2602
LSB#: 210918MW04
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 95790
Year of Manufacture: 1914
Caliber: .45 A.C.P.
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20.1897. SEPT.9,1902 / DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG.19,1913” and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”, with a Rampant Colt logo at the rear of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The right side of the frame is marked “NO 95790”. The left side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and behind the trigger with a circled “WGP” (Walter G. Penfield Maj., USA Colt M1911 .45 Pistols 1909-1914). The bottom of the barrel is marked “5” in front of the link, the top of the chamber is marked “H” and “P”. The top rear face of the slide is marked “H” (vertical, no serif). The flat on the top of the frame around the disconnector is marked “H”, “Y” and with a small square, the right rail is marked with a small square and there is a small square in front of the feed-ramp.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade. 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 show light-moderate handling wear. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a more notable tool-slip scratch behind the top-right grip screw, continuing onto the frame behind the grip. The right panel has a patch of smoothed checkers at the rear edge toward the bottom and there are some other small spots of compressed checkers. Otherwise, the checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 25% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear throughout with strongest finish in protected areas around raised features. The worn areas show light surface oxidation and infrequent minor erosion. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches including an “idiot mark” under the slide stop and a cluster of nicks in the left slide serrations. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. The slide has very 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 one two-tone 7-round magazine with a lanyard loop floorplate. The magazine has operational wear, infrequent minor oxidation, a small dent on the right near the rear (the dent does not interfere with the follower for loading or feeding) intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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 made in 1914, just after the outbreak of the Great War, but a few years before the United States would join. The pistol is in Good condition with 25% of its finish remaining. This is not surprising as the original commercial blue finish would be replaced in 1917 with a brushed military blue as the original finish was found not to be durable enough for military use. The bore is strong with some minor erosion. This is a pistol which has honest wear consistent with an issued sidearm which is more than a century old, and will make a nice addition to a 1911 specific collection. Please see our photos and good luck!