1559

Colt U.S. Army Contract Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Magazine Pouch

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Colt U.S. Army Contract Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Magazine Pouch
This is an example of U.S. Army Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic pistol that was part of a lot of 4000 Model 1911 pistols shipped from Colt to Springfield Armory on May 20, 1918. The pistol has the Colt wartime subdued blue ‘brush blue’ finish on the frame, barrel and small components, with the slide having a darker black army style brush finish. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped with the serial number “No 302126” behind the slide stop hole. The left side of the frame is marked “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” ahead of the trigger guard and the “JMG” monogram of Major John M. Gilbert, Army Ordnance inspector is marked above the magazine release button. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with Rampant Colt flanked by the two line, two block “1897-1913” patent dates and Colt Hartford address. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped “MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY” in the larger 7/62-inch letters adopted in early 1918. All of the markings are in the later Gothic style lettering adopted in September 1917. The Colt “H” provisional inspection mark is stamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop, top of the frame above the disconnector hole and on the top of the barrel chamber. A “P” proofmark is stamped on the top of the chamber in front of the “H” and perpendicular to the axis of the bore. The slide has the second pattern recoil spring housing adopted around serial number 290,000. The wide-spur hammer is the correct long style with rounded rear edge and bordered checkering. The safety lock is the correct pattern with thick thumb-piece with machined under-cut used until mid-1918. The pistol has a military two-tone magazine with lanyard loop floor plate and is fitted with black walnut checkered grips. Included is a double canvas magazine pouch stamped "3066 / P.B. & CO. / 11-1918" on the inside of flap and holing two Colt two-tone magazines.
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: checkered walnut
Serial Number: 302126
Condition: Near new as assembled. The pistol appears to be un-issued and retains 98-99% of the original brush blue finish. The pistol shows minimal handling wear. The barrel chamber has more the 95% of the blue finish showing only limited cycling wear and the bore is perfect. All of the markings are crisp. The walnut grips have extremely sharp checkering and are in near new condition. The grip screws have all of the original finish and are free from screwdriver marks. The blue portion of the magazine has some minor flaking but the magazine remains in excellent condition. The pouch is excellent with limited wear and tight stitching. This is an exceptional example of a 1918 production, U.S. Army contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic pistol.