Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: 29205

Year of Manufacture: 1913, shipped April 22 to San Antonio Arsenal.

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a round blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a round-top "U"-notch sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have fairly even handling wear, more notable toward the bottom of the right panel. There are nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tool marks around the screw heads. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original. Parts and markings are correct including properly oriented "P H" marking on barrel.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion in the bore, more notable in the grooves. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6+/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 20% of its metal finish. Most remaining finish is in protected areas or around raised features. Some worn areas are starting to go to a light patina. There is scattered minor surface oxidation with infrequent erosion, mostly under the grips. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a light "idiot mark" on the right of the frame below the slide stop. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from tool marked with strong slots to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire 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 leather M1916 pattern holster, canvas web-belt and magazine pouch, and a total of three magazines. One magazine is a correct-style two-tone, one is a post-war military magazine, and the third is unmarked.

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 is an early example of a 1911, made in 1913 before the outbreak of the Great War. The pistol was originally shipped to the San Antonio Arsenal in Texas. The pistol has honest wear consistent with its age and service, retaining original finish, correct parts, markings and early design features. Early features of this pistol include the four-date patent marking on its slide, round-top rear sight, long-leg guide rod, early-style thumb safety and sort-spur hammer. Despite its age, the pistol still retains strong mechanics. This early 1911 will be a nice addition to any collection and will display well with its early features, original finish and included accessories. Please see our photos and good luck!