Make: Colt

Model: Custom M1911A1 U.S. Army

Serial Number: 1170002

Year of Manufacture: 1943, we do not know when this pistol was customized.

Caliber: .38 Special Mid-Range (wadcutter)

Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Detachable Magazine Fed Pistol

Barrel Length: 5"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade integral to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the front of the slide which protrudes approximately 3/4" from the front of the slide. The rear sight is a Bo-Mar square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have even light handling wear with a few minor marks. There is some minor discoloration on the points of the well defined checkering. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished, likely original to customization. The slide is from a later vintage Super .38 while the barrel is a .38 Mid-Range barrel. Frame markings indicate Springfield Armory refurbishment prior to customization. The slide and barrel have been serialized to the frame.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. The most notable finish loss is a patch of surface erosion on the left slide flat below the front sight base. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The action shows operational wear. The frontstrap has aggressive texturing. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are generally clear, the Ordnance wheel is incomplete, as is common. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as customized.

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 standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 5-round magazine and a shipping carton post-marked from Willing's Precise Shop in San Antonio, Texas addressed to a Lieutenant M.V. Masciola at the Suffolk County Air Force Base, dated September 7, 1963.

Our Assessment: The 1911 is one of the best pistols ever designed, seeing use in the US Military for the better part of a century and dominating pistol shooting sports for decades. In addition to its long military and law enforcement pedigree, sportsmen have been customizing 1911s for decades due to the wide availability of after-market parts and gunsmith upgrades.

This example was built on a 1943 vintage Colt M1911A1 frame with a Super .38 Automatic slide, but has a .38 Mid-Range barrel and magazine. Equipped with target sights, the result is a nice example of a post-war custom target pistol. The pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition with light handling and operational wear, retaining a nice bore and strong mechanics. This is a very interesting customized pistol, perfect to add to any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!