Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: 293275

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 rounded bladed fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a "U"-notch dovetailed into the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the screws. The grips show fairly even handling wear with some nicks, scuffs and scratches. The most notable marks are in the diamonds on the left panel. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Matte Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished, possibly arsenal refurbished. The barrel has been altered.

Bore Condition: The barrel is composed of two pieces, the cylindrical portion forward of the front locking lug is sleeved into the portion with the locking lug and link lug. bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and some stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10 as altered.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong with some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is evenly scattered erosion under the finish. The chamber hood has some grind marks. The link lug appears to have been made from a rough forging or perhaps welded up and then fit. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good condition as refinished and modified.

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 7-round 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. 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 U. S. Government marked Colt 1911 pistol made toward the end of WWI in 1918. The pistol is in Good condition as refinished showing scattered erosion under its new finish. The barrel has been altered and the link has notable play to the slide stop, it should be inspected by a qualified gunsmith before firing. This is a neat example of the U.S. Model of 1911 which will add to your collection. Please see our photos and good luck!