3532

Excellent WWI 1917 U.S. Army Contract Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,300.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
Excellent WWI 1917 U.S. Army Contract Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol
This is a very nice example of early to mid WWI, US Army contract, Model 1911 pistol as manufactured by Colt in early part of 1917. Only 33,000 Model 1911 were produced in this serial number block, and this pistol still retained the WWI military blued finish and has the serif letter markings on the slide and frame. It has the walnut grips with the two-tone blued magazine. The left side of the slide has the two-line, two-block markings of: "PATENTED APR.20, 1897. SEPT. 9, 1902 / DEC.19, 1905. FEB.14, 1911. AUG.19, 1913" followed by "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." in the second block, with the Rampant Colt horse logo on the rear end of the slide behind the serrations. The right side has the single one line marking of "MODEL OF 1911.U.S. ARMY". The left side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY", along with the circled "GHS" inspector proof of Gilbert H. Stewart, the US Ordnance inspector above the magazine release. It has a correct blue Colt WWI barrel that is marked on top of the chamber area with the small separated "P" and "H" proof. The frame has the late WWI checkered thumb safety, smooth trigger, checkered slide stop and wide spur hammer, with the flat main spring housing with a two tone unmarked magazine without the lanyard ring on the base plate.
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: 169433


Excellent with 97% of the original wartime blued finish remaining showing light edge and high spot wear overall with some more thinning and browning on the front grip strap and the left front edge of the frame. The grips are very fine with nice sharp checkering with noticeable wear on the right lower edge of the grip from rubbing on a holster. Otherwise a very nice all original example of a WWI Colt contract U.S. Model 1911 pistol.