Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: 137402
Year of Manufacture: 1917, shipped January 5 to San Antonio Arsenal.
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked "PATENTED APR.20.1897. SEPT.9.1902 / DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911. AUG.19.1913" and "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.", with a Rampant Colt logo at the rear of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked "MODEL OF 1911. U. S. ARMY". The right side of the frame is marked "No 137402". The left side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and behind the trigger with a circled "GHS" monogram. The top of the barrel at the chamber opening has been marked with "P" and "H" (not genuine markings). The top rear face of the slide is marked "H" (vertical, no serif) above the firing pin plate, there is a "3" and a small "z" marked under the plate, and the bottom flat is marked "G" just in front of the plate. The flat on the top of the frame around the disconnector is marked "H", and the right rail is marked with a small square.
Barrel Length: 5"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade. The rear sight is a flat-top "U" notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips show minor handling wear with a few tool marks in the diamonds around the right grip screws. There are a few scattered small marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Professionally Restored. The barrel is a re-marked part from 1924 or later based on its profile. Some other markings may have been reapplied during restoration.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at a few edges. There is a little light handling wear in the grip straps. There is a light "idiot mark" under the slide stop and continuing up onto the slide flat. There is infrequent minor erosion under the finish, primarily in the slide serrations. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition as restored.
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 two-tone 7-round magazine, marked "B" on top of the floorplate.
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 a Colt Model 1911 that was made during WWI in 1917. The pistol has been quite skillfully restored, retaining 96% of its new finish. The barrel has been replaced with a post-1924 part which has been given "P" and "H" markings which would be correct for a 1917 barrel. Interestingly, its serial number, 137402, indicates the second pistol shipped in 1917, one of a 500 pistol shipment to San Antonio Arsenal. This will make a neat addition to a WWI small arms or 1911 specific collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
