Make: Colt frame, Remington Rand slide.

Model: 1911 U.S. Army, M1911A1 slide.

Serial Number: 221077

Year of Manufacture: 1918, slide made 1943-1945

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Detachable Magazine Fed

Barrel Length: 5", High Standard

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the slide. The corners of the rear sight appear to have been shaved down slightly.

Grip Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered Keyes Fibre panels with reinforcement ribs on the interior and reinforcement rings around the screws. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks and scuffs. The right panel has a patch of compressed checkers in the middle consistent with the M1916 holster's flap-stud. The checkering is otherwise well defined. There are some tool marks in the rings. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Augusta Arsenal refurbished. The slide and barrel are not original to the frame, but were likely installed when refurbished.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is scattered light erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The mainspring housing has gone to an even patina. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as Arsenal Refurbished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A single post-war 7-round magazine is included.

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. This is an interesting example with a host of markings that tells us about some of its history.

The frame is a Model 1911 made by Colt in 1918 toward the end of the Great War. It was later refurbished at Augusta Arsenal which is most likely where it was paired with its WWII-era Remington Rand slide, High Standard barrel and Keyes Fibre grips. This is almost certain as the frame, slide and barrel have commercial British proof marks, so they were most likely together whenever they made their way onto the UK market. Without British military acceptance marks, it's not clear exactly when this happened, but it was almost certainly after WWII.

The result is an interesting pistol with a history that spans both World Wars and at least two continents. This intriguing pistol will make a great addition to any collection and should still prove to be a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!