Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: C92296

Year of Manufacture: 1917

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tapered, rounded blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a "U"-notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have even moderate handling wear. The left panel has a small loss at the top-rear corner. There are tool marks around the screw heads. There are some other scattered light marks. There are no cracks. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the HP-monogram marked barrel is not original to the gun.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered light-moderate erosion and minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5+/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 40% of its metal finish. There is scattered wear with strongest finish in the frame flats above the grip areas, the rear of the slide and frame around the hammer, and protected areas around raised features. Worn surfaces have mostly gone to a light patina. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable on the left of the frame around the slide stop. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 a Rock Island Arsenal M1912 holster which appears to be unit-marked on the flap and a single 7-round two-tone magazine with lanyard-loop floorplate. The magazine has a crack at the rear of the left feed lip.

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. Having secured a contract for the US Military sidearm, Colt also offered the pistol to the commercial market as the "Government Model".

This is a fairly early Colt commercial Government Model made in 1917. The pistol is in Good condition, showing honest wear in its slide and frame's original finish. The barrel has been replaced with a WWI-era military barrel, which has a fairly good bore for a pistol made and used in the era of corrosive primers. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectable, and we are sure this isn’t going to be an exception. It’s also an example you could take out to the range instead of keeping it as a safe queen. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!