WWII Colt U.S. Model 1911A1 .45 ACP Military Semi-Automatic Pistol 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,175.00
WOA#: WY240524SF005
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 755794
Year of Manufacture: 1941 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
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”, rampant colt, and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”, the top of the slide is marked “P”, the rear face of the slide is marked “755 / 794” under the firing pin plate. The left of the frame below the magazine release is marked with a “P” acceptance proof, the left side of the frame below the slide stop is marked with “W.B.” in box. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 755794” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “T”. The top of the frame is marked “G” and “H” at the disconnector. The left of the barrel above the lug is marked “COLT 45 AUTO”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short, round blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed into 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 interior. The left panel is a wartime Keyes Fibre panel, the right panel is a post-war panel. The grips have light-moderate wear with some scattered nicks, scuffing and compressed checkers. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with generally well defined rifling. There erosion scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its current metal finish. The balance is mostly in light operational wear. There are a few scattered minor marks. There are infrequent spots of minor erosion under the finish. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are generally clear, most have soft edges. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is minor play between the slide and frame. This pistol has manual and grip safeties. 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 single 7-round post-war magazine.
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. Since their introduction, the 1911 has seen a number of design changes, most minor, but the 1911-A1 introduced the arched mainspring housing, shorter trigger, and relief cuts behind the trigger on the frame. In addition to these inter-war changes, Colt began finishing the guns by parkerizing them, a more durable finish than the original bluing.
This example was produced by Colt in 1941, as the “Arsenal of Democracy” was gearing up, but before the United States had officially entered the war. The pistol has been refinished, but retains a serial-matching slide. It will make a good addition to a Colt or WWII small arms collection, especially for those who want a representative example of each manufacturer. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
