WWI/WWII Colt Model of 1911 US Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2125
LSB#: 210419MB19
Make: Colt
Model: 1911, A1 Updated
Serial Number: 494735
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the dust cover is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”, the right side of the frame is marked “No 494735 / SA”. 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 has an incomplete “H” (horizontal, with serifs) above the firing pin plate and under the plate with “7”. An inspector’s mark behind the trigger on the left of the frame has been mostly removed by the relief-cut. The top of the frame is marked”H” in front of the disconnector, and “G” behind. The left of the trigger guard is marked “15”. 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 “G”. The bottom of the magazine floorplate is marked “C-R”, the top is marked “R”.
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 brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the grip screws and reinforcement ribs on the inside. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered blunted checkers, a few light nicks, and tool marks in the reinforcement rings. There is a crack on the inside of the right panel, but it is not visible on the exterior. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips. Overall, the grips are in about Good-Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore, most in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 94% of its current metal finish. Most of the balance is in operational wear on the barrel and trigger. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and operational wear. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is some erosion under the finish, mostly under the grip panels. 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 as refinished.
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 and a brown leather flap-holster. The magazine shows light operational wear, intact feed lips, and a strong spring, in about Very Good-Fine condition. The holster is marked “US” in oval on the flap, “MILWAUKEE SADDLERY CO. / 1944” on the belt-loop. The holster shows scattered wear, scratches, verdigris at the metal components and intact stitching, in about Good-plus 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. It has since been updated with many 1911A1 features including a new hammer, mainspring housing, trigger and grips. Interestingly, the frame has also had the trigger relief cuts added, a practice which was done on Marine Corps pistols at the armorer level, though we have not found evidence that this modification was performed on 1911 pistols by Springfield. It is possible that the cuts were applied by a USMC armorer and the pistol later made its way to Springfield for refurbishment, or this may indicate modification since the pistol was released from service, despite the Springfield Armory arsenal refurbish mark on the frame. The pistol is in about Very Good condition, retaining about 94% of its new parkerized finish. 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!