WWII US Army Colt 1911A1 1911-A1 .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1944 C&R

SOLD FOR: $3,469.00

WOA#: WY240530TP033

Make: Colt

Model: M1911A1

Serial Number: 1649837

Year of Manufacture: 1944 (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 left of the frame below the magazine release is marked with a “P” acceptance proof, the left side of the frame above the magazine release is marked with “G.H.D”. The right side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY / No 1649837” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, it is also marked with the Springfield crossed cannons behind the grip but it is incomplete as is common. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “P”, the right is marked “35”. The left link-lug of the barrel is marked “P” and the left of the chamber with “COLT 45 AUTO”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short, serrated blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide; the rear sight is dented. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown “Coltwood” plastic with large reinforcement rings around the screws and reinforcement ribs on the interior. There are mold-number markings where the ribs cross. The grips have light handling wear with some tool marks in the reinforcement rings and a few nicks and scuffs. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates an 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some light surface erosion, most notable at the left-front of the slide. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are 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. 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 marked “S” on the top of the floorplate and “C-S” on the bottom.

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 1944 and is a nice example. The pistol is in Very Good condition, retaining about 85% of its original metal finish, a good bore and strong mechanics. It will make a good addition to a Colt or WWII small arms collection, especially for those who want a representative example of each iteration of the design. Of course, it could still prove to be a decent shooter, too. Please see our photos and good luck!

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