WWII U.S. Colt Model 1911-A1 M1911A1 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1942 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,936.00

LSB#: LSB250525MC008

Make: Colt

Model: 1911-A1

Serial Number: 852909

Year of Manufacture: 1942

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short, rounded 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 Coltwood plastic panels with large reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the interior. The grips have a couple of nicks on the right panel toward the bottom. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized 

Finish Originality: Original, the slide is serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is fairly evenly scattered finish wear, most notable in the grip areas and the bottom of the dust cover. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The sides of the trigger have wear consistent with a previously installed trigger shoe. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation, mostly in the worn areas. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. 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 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. This example was produced by Colt in 1942 as the design saw some tweaks and changes. This pistol was made a little after the switch to parkerized finishing. It has the earlier-style rounded front sight which would be replaced with a serrated, ramped rear face and a “U”-notch rear sight which would be replaced by square notches. The hammer has the original wide-spur which would soon be replaced by a spur of the same width as the body. The slide stop, thumb safety and mainspring housing are all checkered, each of which would eventually be serrated. The grips are even proper Coltwood stocks. In all, this is a nice example of a late-1942 production Colt M1911A1. It was produced when the slides were still serialized, so it’s nice to know that it still has its original slide, too! The pistol is in Good-plus condition, showing wear consistent with issue and use, a fair bore and strong mechanics. It will make a nice addition to a Colt or WWII small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud