This is an example of a very late (possibly post-WWI) WWI Colt M1911 contract pistol as produced for the US Army. This pistol was produced at the very end of the very last serial number block of US Army contract M1911s. The last recorded serial number for Colt M1911s is generally accepted as 600,000 with the pistols continued to be numbered up to 629,500. It is assumed that most of these late production pistols were shipped to Springfield Armory in mid 1919. The left side of the slide has the typical two line, two block Colt patent/ address markings with the Rampant Colt in the center of the markings with the "H" proof on the rear of the slide above the firing pin. The right side is marked "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY". The left side of the frame is stamped with the eagle head over S12 proof by the magazine release. The "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" markings has moved to the right side of the frame and is located above the serial number, which is exactly the same as that found on the 1924 Transition M1911 pistols. It has the checkered slide stop release, thick thumb safety with the wide hammer with the checkered spur and short grip safety. The barrel is the correct WWI Colt contract barrel that has the intertwined "HP" proof on top of the chamber area. It has the correct walnut diamond checkered grips and is complete with one two tone magazine and a plain reproduction cardboard box.

Very fine overall. The pistol retains approximately 75% of the correct original "Black Army" finish mixed with smooth grayish patina. The slide hold back and thumb safety retain 98% of the bright original finish and hammer retains 85%. The grips are fine with some scattered minor dings and crisp checkering. Markings are clear. Mechanically excellent.