WWI US Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2577
LSB#: 211017DR20
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 177908
Year of Manufacture: 1917
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 177908”. The left side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” and behind the trigger with a circled “GHS” (Col. Gilbert H. Stewart, Colt 1911 Pistols 1915-1919). The left link-lug is marked “P”, the right is marked “HS” (WWII era High Standard produced barrel). The top rear face of the slide is marked “H” (vertical, no serif), under the plate is marked “2”. The flat on the top of the frame around the disconnector is marked “G”, “H” and “5”, and the right rail is marked with a small square. The flat on the underside of the slide is marked “G” at the rear.
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 two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips show light handling wear, a little more notable on the right panel than the left. There are light tool marks around the screw heads and some scattered light nicks and scuffs. The right panel has some worn checkering toward the bottom, but the checkering is otherwise well defined .THere are no chips or cracks. The right panel is fit notably closer to the mainspring housing pin than the left, indicating that the left panel is a replacement. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as, at least partially, not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Most remaining finish appears Original to the parts. The barrel has been replaced and there may have been other small parts replaced. Worn areas show treatment with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 70% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear, most notable in the grip areas of the frame, the worn areas show treatment with cold blue. There is some scattered minor surface erosion, mostly on the top of the slide forward of the ejection port and on the right of the slide and frame around and below the ejection port. The worn areas show discoloration from oxidation and there is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches with an “idiot mark” under the slide stop. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong 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 light 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. The magazine has moderate wear, light surface oxidation scattered throughout, 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 during WWI in 1917. The pistol’s brushed blue finish was instigated in 1917 because the Army thought the original bright blued finish was not durable enough. The new finish appears to have been more durable, as this pistol is more than a century old, yet still retains much of its original finish. Worn areas show treatment with cold blue and there is scattered light wear, but the pistol is in Very Good condition, retaining a nice bore in its replacement barrel and strong mechanics. This is a pistol which will make a nice addition to a 1911 or WWI specific collection. Please see our photos and good luck!