WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1918 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,731
WOA#: WY240112WOA002
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 392987
Year of Manufacture: 1918 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the frame is marked “No 392987. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The left side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the dust cover. The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902 / DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG. 19, 1913”, with a rampant colt and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The rear of the slide is marked “H” (vertical, no serifs) above the firing pin plate. The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with eagle’s head over “S16”. The top of the frame is marked “8” to the right and in front of the feed ramp, stamped “H” in front of the disconnector, and there is a “G” behind the disconnector. The barrel lug is marked “P” and “S”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “U”-notched rear sight dovetailed into the slide and a short rounded blade front sight fixed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have light-moderate handling wear. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. There are some smoothed checkers at the bottom of each panel. Otherwise, the checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original (Scrubbed)
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some fouling on the grooves and lands. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: Most of the finish on this pistol has been lost or scrubbed away. The exposed surfaces have mostly gone to a light gray, typical of old, worn cold blue. There is some stronger blue in protected areas such as under the grips and around some raised features. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs, scratches and spots of minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to very lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fair-Good condition as C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide has very little play to the frame. We did not fire 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 two-tone 7-round magazine. The magazine has some scattered light wear. The spring is strong and the leading edges are sharp. This pistol also comes in a pistol hard snap case.
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. The design was the end-result of a series of developments by famous gun designer John Browning, starting with the Model 1900. The advances made by Browning were revolutionary at the time, and were so successful that they are considered commonplace today. Browning not only developed first a pivoting and then a tilting barrel to allow for a locked system, he developed the concept of “the slide”, which is now synonymous with semi-automatic handguns. This is a U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol originally made in 1918. The pistol is in Good condition, showing wear which could be considered light for a 100 year old service pistol, retaining a strong bore and strong mechanics. This is a great example of a 1911 that has survived more than a century and is still ready to hit the range. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
