Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: C 17150

Year of Manufacture: Shipped March 22, 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 front of the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The left grip has a crack vertically down the center hidden by the checkering. There are compressions. The checkering is generally defined with a few blunted areas. Overall, the grips are in Fair - Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with well defined rifling. There is light erosion throughout but no deep pitting. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are several scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, a couple of scrapes. There is an "idiot" mark on the frame and slide. There is intermittent oxidation and discoloration. There is some deeper pitting on the front strap. The right side of the slide and frame have a grid like pitting pattern consistent with duct tape. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp and the slide has very little play to the frame. 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 one two-tone 7-round magazine with lanyard-ring floorplate. The magazine has operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition. The left side of the magazine is crudely engraved with the initials "JSJ" with some less legible markings on the right side of the magazine. This pistol also includes a Factory Letter confirming a shipment date of March 11, 1915 to London Armoury Company, 31 Bury Street, St. James S.W. 1, London, England.

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 value of Colt’s new pistol was not lost on those outside America, and many were purchased by British officers during WWI, as they were expected to provide their own sidearms. This is a fairly early Colt Model 1911 Government Model made in 1915 which has British proof marks. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectable, but this British WWI era 1911 will take a prized place in even advanced collections.