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Exceptionally Rare Documented Early 1938 Production Colt Model 1911A1 U.S. Army Contract Pistol with

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Pistols Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:16,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Exceptionally Rare Documented Early 1938 Production Colt Model 1911A1 U.S. Army Contract Pistol with
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Exceptionally Rare Documented Early 1938 Production Colt Model 1911A1 U.S. Army Contract Pistol with Colt Letter

This is an extremely rare example of one of the approximately 1,300 Model 1911A1 pistols delivered by Colt to the U.S. Army in 1938, that is in excellent condition. These 1938 manufactured pistols were some of the very first "true" Model 1911A1 pistols delivered to the U.S. Army prior to World War II. This exceptional pistol is accompanied with a Colt factory letter dated July 2006, which verifies this pistol was shipped to the Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory in June 1938 in a shipment of 350 pistols. It has a brush blue finish and checkered walnut stocks with the original factory milled/polished feed ramp. The right side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" above the serial number "No 712756" to the rear of the slide stop hole, with "M1911A1 U.S. ARMY" located on the right side of the frame in front of the slide stop hole. The top of the frame (interior rear) is stamped with the small oval with the initials, "H.O.L" which has been tentatively identified as Major Herbert O'Leary (inspected serial numbers 712,350-713,645) along with the letter "G" indicating the Colt production order code next to the disconnector hole. The "H" final inspection mark of Chief Ordnance Inspector Fredrick W. Hauff is stamped on the frame immediately behind the magazine release. Meadows notes (p.35,36) the H stamp was inconsistently applied, citing this specimen as an example bearing such mark. A gothic "P" is stamped above and slightly to the rear of the magazine release and also on top of the slide in front of the rear sight. A "P" Colt sub-inspection mark and the Colt "VP/Triangle" verified proofmark are stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow. The opposite side of the trigger guard bow is marked "60". The pistol serial number "712/756" is stamped on the rear of the slide above and below the firing pin hole. The left side of the slide is marked with Colt's 1897 to 1913 proofmarks in two lines followed by the Rampant Colt and the Colt's two-line address. The pistol has the short pattern wide spur hammer with borderless checkering, arched checkered mainspring housing, the short horn grip safety with the checkered thumb safety and slide stop lock. It has the correct checkered walnut grips. The bright chambered barrel is a carryover from 1937 production which used a combination of parts from commercial inventory and proofed and parts made for the military. The barrel is marked "G" on bottom forward of link, "COLT 45 AUTO" on the lower left side of the chamber and "P" on the left side of the lug with the Colt factory bright polished chamber area. It is complete with one unmarked two-tone blue factory magazine.

Manufacture: Colt
Model: 1911A1
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 712756

Excellent with 97% plus of the original brush blue finish overall with just a hint of wear on the front edge of the slide, a hint of thinning on the front grip strap and some slight browning on the mainspring housing. The grips are very fine with sharp checkering on both sides and some moderate wear present on the lower edges. Mechanically excellent. A rare 1938 production U.S. Colt Model 1911A1 semi-automatic pistol that will greatly enhance any collection!