Colt Government Model 1911 US Army .45 ACP Semi Auto Pistol MFD 1913 C&R OK

SOLD FOR: $4,599.01
Make: 
Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 34147
Year of Manufacture: 1913
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic 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”, “Colts Pt.F/A/ Mfg. Co. / Hartford. CT, U.S.A.” and with the Rampant Colt logo at the rear. The left of the frame near the magazine release is marked with a circled “WGP” (Walter G. Penfield Maj., USA 1909-1914) ). The left side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”. The right side of the frame is marked “No 34147”. The right side of the slide is marked “Model of 1911 U.S. Army”. The rear of the slide in front of the hammer is marked with a Gothic “H” (Francis L. Hosmer). The barrel is marked “P” and “H” at the port. The underside of the barrel at the lug is marked “5”. The underside slide flat is marked “2” at the rear and “T” at the front.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a rounded top rear sight with a “U” notch dovetailed into the slide. The front sight is a short blade fixed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut “Double Diamond” grips. Both grips show very minor marks in the smooth diamond shaped escutcheons around the grip screws. The checkering shows very light wear except for at the bottom edges where it shows moderate wear. There is a marred area on the left grip above and in front of the lower escutcheon and on the right grip in front of the diamond escutcheon. There are neither chips nor cracks noted. The grips rate in about Fine to Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling shows slight wear. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The front edges of the slide and frame show thinning and there are marks through the finish on each side of the front of the slide from wear on the frame. The slide and frame show surface frosting and isolated spots of pinprick surface erosion, which is primarily at the front of the slide. There are light scratches on the left side of the slide at the front of the frame, light handling marks on both sides of the slide and a small compression mark on the top of the slide. The frame shows thinning on the front corner of the trigger guard and on the backstrap. The backstrap also shows two tiny compression marks near its bottom. The checkering on the hammer shows slight wear, and the checkering on the safety and slide release is sharp. The grip screws are sharp but show marks of a screwdriver. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The trigger pull is a light, with a tiny amount of creep. The slide is tight on the frame. The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one blued 7-round magazine with very light wear. The floorplate shows light handling marks and thinning on its front edge. It is in Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: The Colt 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through 2 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 is a Colt Model 1911 made for the U.S. Government in 1913. All of its markings are appropriate for a pistol made in that year. It is in Excellent condition with thinning on the front edges of the slide and frame, and on the backstrap. There is some frosting on the slide and frame, with scattered spots of pinprick surface erosion. The bore is pristine. This is an excellent example of a pre-WWI Colt and should be of great interest to Colt collectors and collectors of WWI and WWII military arms.

Colt Government Model 1911 US Army .45 ACP Semi Auto Pistol MFD 1913 C&R OK
Colt Government Model 1911 US Army .45 ACP Semi Auto Pistol MFD 1913 C&R OK