WWII U.S. Colt Model 1911-A1 M1911A1 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,326.00
LSB#: LSB251216DH023
Make: Colt
Model: M1911A1
Serial Number: 798963
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 few nicks and scratches 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 to the parts. The slide is marked 754/346 under the firing pin plate and the barrel is High Standard production, indicating that they are not original to the frame. Some other small parts may have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6-7/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is more notable wear in the frame with areas gone to patina, mostly in the grip areas. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with “idiot marks” around the slide stop on the slide and frame. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition as not parts-original.
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 Colt sub-contracted M.S. Little 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 a spur of the same width as the body, a recent change from the previous wide-spur. 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 neat example of a 1942 production Colt M1911A1, though it has a non-matching slide and a High Standard barrel installed. The pistol is in Good-plus condition, showing wear consistent with issue and use, a decent 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!
-Bud