US Army WWII Colt Model 1911A1 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol 1944 C&R Rare
SOLD FOR: $1,600.00
WOA#: WY240323WM027
Make: Colt
Model: 1911-A1
Serial Number: 1655013
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 with “PATENTED APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902. / DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG.19,1913”, their “Rampant Colt” logo, 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 1655013” and “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY”, it’s also marked with the Ordnance “crossed cannons” behind the grip but it’s incomplete as is common. The left of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and “F”, the right is marked “35”. The barrel lug is marked “J”.
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.
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 minor handling wear with some light scuffs and scratches, most notable on the right panel. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished, likely Arsenal Refurbished. We do not know the manufacture of the barrel and the mainspring housing is a replacement.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves, and some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 or 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas with more notable wear and some sort of stubborn residue in the mainspring housing. There are some light nicks and scratches including an “idiot mark” under the slide stop on the left of the frame. Some worn areas show discoloration from oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as refinished.
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 one US WW2 7-round magazine marked “G” on the top of the floorplate, denoting manufacture by the General Shaver division of Remington Rand. It sports the classic folded and spot welded seam along the spine.
Our Assessment: The Colt .45 semi-automatic pistol was developed for the US Army in 1911 after the .38 revolver failed to stop charging Moro warriors in the Philippines. The US Army issued the powerful .45 to officers, NCOs, and other troopers in both World War 1 and World War 2. In the interwar period,the 1911-A1 introduced the arched mainspring housing, shorter trigger, and relief cuts behind the trigger on the frame. In addition, 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 as refinished, retaining about 85% of its new metal finish, a decent bore, and strong mechanics. It will make a fine 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
