WWI Colt US Army Model 1911 45 ACP Pistol MFD 1918 Complete Holster & Belt Rig, All Original, C&R OK

SOLD FOR: $2,981.00
LSB#: 190114AK01

Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: 379847

Year of Manufacture: July1918 (Clawson)

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The right side of the frame is marked “N^O 379847”. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U. S. ARMY”. The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” and “PATENTED APR.20.1897.SEPT.9.1902 / DEC.19.1905.FEB.14.1911.AUG.19.1913.” and with a Rampant Colt logo in the center. The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with an “Eagle /S5” inspection mark. The right side of the barrel lug is marked  with a “3” and the top of the barrel at the chamber is marked with a vertical “H / P”. The rear face of the slide above the firing pin retainer is marked “H”. The flat on the underside of the slide is marked “N”, “4” and “R”. The flat on the top of the frame in front of the hammer is marked “U”, “G” and “H” and the right frame rail is marked with a small square.

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 double diamond checkered walnut. The large diamonds show only a few marks, heavier at the upper left diamond which shows bruising around the screw. The checkering shows light wear with an area of compressed checkers at the front of the left grip and a few tiny marks scattered over both grips. the checkering is very pronounced and remains strong and attractive. The wear is honest wear, consistend with the condition of the metal and use of the gun. The grips rate in about Very Good to Fine condition.

Type of Finish: The finish is blued.

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with sharp rifling. There is only very light erosion scattered throughout the bore, all of which may improve with a good cleaning.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 70% of its metal finish. There is a spot of frosting at the left front of the slide and two more tiny spots at the bottom of the front strap. There is finish loss on the mainspring housing and the edges of the slide and frame, with thinning and a few spots of finish loss on the slide. There are several tiny dings and light handling marks on the slide, as well as a few marks on the front strap. There is an “idiot mark” on the left side of the frame and a small scratch on the frame ahead of the slide stop as well. Despite this mentioned wear, the gun is in far better than average condition, retaining a lot of finish and remaining very attractive. The slide serrations are sharp. The knurling on the small parts are sharp. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear, with a crisp inspection mark on the left side of the frame. Overall, this pistol rates in about Very Good – Fine ORIGINAL condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has both a manual and grip safety and the trigger pull is crisp. The slide is tight 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 correct WWI GI rig. Included are two 7 round magazines, and a web belt with magazine pouch and M1916 brown leather holster. The magazines are two-tone, showing thinning and light handling marks. One is in Fine condition and the other also shows light erosion along the spine and is in about Good to Very Good condition. The web belt is khaki/tan with blackened brass fittings, including 2 belt keepers. The inside of the belt has a large rectangular cartouche that we think reads “R. H. LONG / CB”. The belt shows a few spots of dirt/oil staining and thinning in the fitting finish. The belt is in about Very Good to Fine condition. The mag pouch holds two 1911 magazine and has a flap secured with two “Lift The Dot” blackened snap fasteners. The inside of the flap is marked with a rectangular cartouche marked “R. H. LONG / 5 – 18”. The back side of the pouch shows spots of mild discoloration and the blackened finish on the fasteners shows thinning. The pouch is in about Fine condition. The holster is marked “WARREN LEATHER / GOODS CO. / 1917” and with the inspector initials “W.E.H.”. The top flap is marked with a large “US” in an oval and there is a leather tie down thong through a hole at the muzzle. The stitching is intact and there are no cracks in the leather. The holster is in about Very Good overall condition.

Our Assessment: By the beginning of 1917, a total of 68,533 M1911 pistols had been delivered to U.S. armed forces by Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and the U.S. government’s Springfield Armory. However, the need to greatly expand U.S. military forces and the surge in demand for the firearm in World War I saw the expansion of manufacture to other contractors besides Colt and Springfield Armory, including Remington-UMC and North American Arms Co. of Quebec. By the end of the war about 600,000 had been produced, many of these having been issued and seeing service.

This ia a very attractive and complete WWI 1911 rig, with an equally attractive and honest Colt 1911. The rig components are appropriately dated for the manufacture of the gun, and this is exactly the rig a doughboy would have worn late in WWI. The gun is parts original and finish original, showing the majority of it’s finish and no obscene wear or pitting.  The gun is far better than average and on it’s own would be a desirable addition to a WWI or 1911 collection, with the rig it is a must have! Please see our pictures and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible handgun CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California but CANNOT be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All C&R and Moderd Firearms sold to a California resident must be DROS’d and therefore cannot be sent directly to a CA C&R holder. This does not apply to out of state residents.