1917 Production WWI Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP Pistol 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 a Colt Model 1911 that was made during WWI in 1917. The pistol has correct markings and features apart from the thumb-safety which is a slightly later vintage part. The pistol is in Good condition with 25% of its original finish remaining. The bore is fairly strong with scattered light erosion. This a pistol which has honest wear consistent with an issued sidearm in one of the most destructive conflicts in history, and will make a nice addition to a 1911 specific collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 160475
Year of Manufacture: 1917, Shipped to Springfield Armory June 16.
Caliber: .45 A.C.P.
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade. The rear sight is a "U" notch dovetailed into the slide. The rear sight has nicks on the top.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece double-diamond checkered walnut. The grips have moderate wear with some nicks and dings. There are tool marks around the screw heads. The left panel has a minor loss at the bottom-rear. Some areas of checkering are compressed or worn nearly smooth, others are well defined. There are no cracks. The grips rate in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original, the safety is a 1918-1919 vintage part.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore, more in the grooves than the lands. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6 or 7 out of 10.Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 25% of its metal finish. There is fairly even scattered wear with strong finish in protected areas and around raised features. There is some very minor oxidation and evidence of previous oxidation which has been cleaned out. There are some light nicks, scuffs and scratches with an "idiot mark" under the slide stop on the left of the frame. There are more notable marks in the right-side slide serrations. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. The slide has minor play to the frame. 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 7-round magazine.
CA LEGAL: CA DEALER: YES, CA PPT: NO
HANDGUNS/PISTOLS