3629

Excellent Early 1912 Production Colt Model 1911 U.S. Army Semi-Automatic Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Semiautomatic Handguns Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:3,750.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Excellent Early 1912 Production Colt Model 1911 U.S. Army Semi-Automatic Pistol
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.
Excellent Early 1912 Production Colt Model 1911 U.S. Army Semi-Automatic Pistol

This is a fantastic example of an all original and very early "U.S. Army" contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol that was shipped to Benecia Arsenal in November 1912. This beautiful example has the various transition features only seen on very early production pistols. The left side of the slide has the very early short, two line/two block Colt markings with serifs that consists of "PATENTED APR. 20. 1897/SEPT.9. 1902. DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911" followed by "COLT'S PT. F.A. CO./ HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.", with the circled Rampant Colt logo stamped behind the serrations. It has the early/transition style rounded rear sight with the narrow/thin half moon front sight blade, type III, screwdriver slotted, magazine catch lock, short wide spur Colt hammer, short spur grip safety, concave mainspring housing pin, first type, thin lever, thumb safety with the undercut, and the early first style rectangular punched mainspring housing cap. The left side of the frame is stamped with the circled "WGP" inspector mark of Major Walter G. Penfield, U.S. Ordnance inspector with the small size, "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and small sized serial numbers "No.14721" on the right side. This pistol is fitted with the correct style early unmarked Colt all blue barrel with a single number "5" inspection proof stamped on the underside in front of the barrel lug, with the early provisional letter "H" proofmark on the rear face of the sight hood and on top of the frame. The pistol has the very rare, early style half-tone, lanyard loop magazine with the pinned on base plate with the keyhole/saw cut on the back side.

Manufacture: Colt
Model: 1911
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 14721

Extremely fine with 90% plus of the original blue finish overall with edge and high spot wear, thinning on the front grip strap and blue loss on the mainspring housing. The top of the correct rounded rear sight has been filed down slightly. The walnut grips are also extremely fine with nice distinct checkering on both sides, showing minor handling marks, mixed with a couple of minor nicks. Mechanically excellent. An exceptionally nice all original and very early production Colt Model 1911 US Army contract pistol.