Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: 565416

Year of Manufacture: 1918

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 flat-top "U"-notch sight dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece Keyes Fibre checkered synthetic panels with reinforcement rings around the grip screws and interior reinforcement ribs. The grips have some scattered nicks, scuffs and small scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished, likely arsenal refurbished. Several parts are 1911A1 pattern replacements.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn copper fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are infrequent spots of minor surface oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.

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 single 7-round two-tone magazine with lanyard-loop floorplate. The body of the magazine comes down flush with the bottom edge 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 example was made in 1918 during the Great War. It appears to have remained in inventory through WWII with several 1911A1 pattern replacement parts including the short, checkered trigger, arched mainspring housing, High Standard barrel, and Keyes Fibre grips. The pistol retains 95% of its likely arsenal-applied parkerized finish with a great bore and strong mechanics. This 1911 will be a neat addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!