This is an excellent example of a late WWI "Black Army" M1911 pistol as manufactured by Colt. This pistol has dull "black finish" adopted by Colt in May 1918 with the block style markings. This late finish was actually an effort to increase production and the term "Black Army" is actually a collector term to identify and differentiate these pistols from the earlier all blue M1911s. This specific pistol was shipped to Springfield Armory in May 1918. The left side of the slide is marked "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." over "HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." with the Rampant Colt in the middle of the markings and the left side of the slide is marked with "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY". The left side of the frame is marked, "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and it has the small Eagle Head "S5" ordnance inspector proof. The right side of the frame has the serial number of the pistol, behind the slide stop pin hole. It still has the correct early WWI parts such as the Colt wide checkered spur hammer, smooth flat main spring housing, checkered slide stop and thumb safety, and the Colt barrel which is marked with the single separated "P" and "H" proof on top of the chamber area. It has the original diamond checkered walnut grips and is complete with one half-tone magazine.