Make: Springfield Armory Frame, Colt Slide

Model: 1911

Serial Number: 117618

Year of Manufacture: 1915

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5"

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece post-war checkered brown plastic with reinforcement rings around the screw heads and reinforcement ribs on the interior, installed when the pistol was refurbished. The grips have minor handling wear with a few minor nicks and scuffs. The left panel has some scattered stubborn residue. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished at Augusta Arsenal

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 94% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout with thinning at some edges. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and small scratches. There is some minor erosion under the finish with more notable erosion under the finish which is concealed by the grips when installed. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to lightly worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as arsenal refurbished.

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 in a two-piece craft box with serial-matching DD Form 1348-1 indicating shipment from Anniston Army Depot in 1965 and with a single 7-round Scovill magazine.

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. This is a U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made in 1915, toward the beginning of the Great War. While developed and initially produced by Colt, Springfield Armory also purchased the right to produce the pistols themselves, making some 25,000 before discontinuing production to focus on rifles.

This pistol was refurbished by Augusta Arsenal and was assembled with a Colt slide and barrel on its Springfield frame, though all of these parts are WWI-era production. The most obvious post-WWII additions are the grip panels. The pistol retains the great majority of its new parkerized finish and comes in what appears to be its shipping carton from Anniston Army Depot which it left in 1965. Please see our photos and good luck!