Make: Colt

Model: M1911A1

Serial Number: 1649113

Year of Manufacture: 1944

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5", Flannery Bolt Co.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short, serrated, ramped blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square-notch dovetailed into the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown Coltwood plastic panels with reinforcement ribs on the inside and large reinforcing rings around the grip screws. The grips have even light handling wear. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with tool marks in the rings around the screws. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished, the barrel is a field replacement. Some other small parts are likely replacements, notably the parkerized slide stop.

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

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches including an "idiot mark" under the slide stop on the left of the frame. The inscription on the bottom of the dust cover is cut through the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the British proofs, Ordnance wheel and rampant colt are worn and incomplete. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.

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 single 7-round M.S. Little magazine, WWII-era web belt with M1916 holster with decorative carving on the flap, first aid pouch with sealed Carlisle Model first aid packet, one 2-magazine pouch, reproduction brass First Special Service Force crossed-arrow insignia pin, reproduction brass "CANADA" pin, and reproduction FSSF arrowhead patch.

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. Since their introduction, the 1911 has seen a number of design changes, most minor, but the 1911-A1 introduced the arched mainspring housing, shorter trigger, and relief cuts behind the trigger on the frame. In addition to these inter-war changes, Colt began finishing the guns by parkerizing them, a more durable finish than the original bluing.

This example is a Colt made in 1944. The pistol has been refinished and has a field replacement Flannery Bolt Co. barrel as well as some intriguing markings. The pistol has British commercial proofs, but not the martial acceptance markings expected on a Lend-Lease pistol. It also has a custom inscription, "G.L. LARSON / 065145" cut through the new finish on the dust cover. We were not able to determine the significance of this marking, but it should make for a fun research project. The pistol includes a neat holster rig with decorated M1916 holster as well as reproduction pins and a patch from the First Special Service Force. Please see our photos and good luck!