The included factory letter indicates this World War I Colt Model 1911 pistol was shipped to the Commanding Officer at Springfield Armory of Springfield, Massachusetts, on May 6, 1918, as part of a 5,400 gun shipment. This was part of the last batch of consecutively serialized Model 1911 pistols in the 283901-289300 serial range sent to the U.S. Springfield Armory, with shipments afterwards not being shipped in numerical order as a means of increasing the production rate. Related shipment information is listed on page 385 of "Colt .45 Service Pistols" (1991 publication) by Charles Clawson. Features fixed oval blade front and notch rear sights, replacement blued barrel with only visible marking being an "N" on bottom, checkered slide stop, thumb safety, magazine release, and wide spur hammer; short grip safety, smooth long trigger, and straight mainspring housing with a lanyard loop on the base. The slide bears the two-line, two-block patent date and manufacturer address on the left with Rampant Colt in the center (which was changed from behind the slide serrations around serial number 278000), along with model and U.S. Army nomenclature on the right side and "H" marked at the top of the hammer recess. The left side of the frame bears the U.S. property marking and circled "JMG" (Lt. Col. J. M. Gilbert) monogram inspection mark, with serial number on the right side. Fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips and two-tone magazine with a "B" maker mark on the lip. Provenance: Property of a Gentleman

Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus original blue finish with the grip straps fading to a smooth brown patina, artificial brown visible on the chamber area of the replacement barrel, and sharp markings and edges overall. Grips are also exceptionally fine with a few minor nicks in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.