WWI US Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1914 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,676.99
LSB#: 231109DL001
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 89830
Year of Manufacture: 1914
Caliber: .45 A.C.P.
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
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 have fairly even light handling wear with some small nicks and scuffing. There is a patch of compressed checkers below the top diamond on the left panel. Otherwise, the checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The lands are semi-bright, the grooves are gray. The rifling is well defined. There is some light erosion on the lands with more notable erosion and minor pitting in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered light finish wear with more notable handling wear in the grip areas. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation with more notable oxidation under the grips. There are some scattered light nicks and small scratches. There is an “idiot mark” under the slide stop. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very 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 a 1914 dated Rock Island Arsenal M1912 holster, Mills canvas belt, a canvas pouch with a sealed tin inside (we were not able to remove the tin from the pouch without risking damage to the pouch), and a War Plans Division manual for the Model of 1911. A total of two 7-round magazines, one two-tone and one refinished blue with lanyard loop. The lanyard loop magazine has a weak spring. A series of printouts and photocopies are included attributing this pistol to Lieutenant Levi E. Lundburg, Company M, 2nd Infantry, Idaho National Guard.
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 shipped to Benicia Arsenal in July, 1914, just before the outbreak of the Great War. It would of course be a few years before the United States would join. The pistol is in Very Good condition with 70% of its finish remaining, proper markings and features for its vintage, really in quite nice condition given its age and service. The pistol comes with some nice accessories for display and is attributed by the consignor to Lt. Levi E. Lundburg of the Idaho National Guard. This will display well in any collection and is a nice example of an early 1911. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
