Colt Model 1911 Pistol shipped from Colt to the Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory on November 26, 1913. The pistol is fitted with an experimental wide, hammer manufactured by Springfield Armory to determine if a wider hammer would make cocking or lowering the hammer less difficult. This pistol was formerly part of the Edward S. Meadows collection and is illustrated and described in detail on pages 143 and 144 of "U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS 1894 -1920". Included with the pistol are: (1) a small envelope stamped "OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE" and dated "Apr/17/1914" that contains the original factory hammer for this pistol and (2) thirteen pages of photocopied correspondence from Colt, the Chief of Ordnance, Springfield Armory, Frankford Arsenal and the School of Musketry at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. The correspondence contains a detailed description of evaluation of hammer designs and test results including the wide hammer fitted on this pistol. The experiments and testing conducted with this pistol led to the November 11, 1914, decision by the Chief of Ordnance to direct that the short spur hammer originally fitted on Colt Model 1911 pistols be replaced with a long spur hammer. The pistol has the standard, "dull finish" blue approved by the Chief of Ordnance on March 23, 1912 with oil-finished, checkered, black walnut stocks and a 'two-tone' magazine with lanyard loop. The pistol has the rounded profile rear sight fitted on Model 19111 pistols until late 1913. The right side of the frame is stamped: "No 56908" behind the slide stop hole. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped: "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" ahead of the trigger guard bow and has the circular "WPG" monogram of the Ordnance Inspector, MAJ. Walter G. Penfield stamped above the magazine release. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY" in Roman style letters. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the 1897-1911 patent dates in two un-equal lines followed by the two-line block Hartford address and the Rampant Colt trademark behind the slide serrations. A "H" provisional inspection mark is stamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop and on the top of the frame in front of the disconnector hole. An "R" assembler's mark is stamped to the right of the disconnector hole. The barrel is blued and has a "P" proof mark and a "H" provisional inspection mark stamped on the top of the chamber perpendicular to the axis of the bore.

Excellent. The pistol retains approximately 90% of the original blue finish and shows wear consistent with a weapon used for component testing. There is moderate handling wear on the grip strap and holster wear on edges of the slide, frame and trigger guard bow. There are some minor handling and storage marks on the top of the slide and the finish on the main spring housing is thin. The markings on the barrel and frame are crisp. The barrel chamber has about 85% of the blue finish; the bore is bright. The walnut stocks are in very fine - excellent condition with light to moderate storage wear. The magazine is in fine condition. The paper hammer packet remains in fine condition with clear stamp and pencil markings. This is a unique and well-documented experimental Colt Model 1911 that played a significant part in the continuing development of the Model 1911 Pistol. It would be a worthy addition to any advanced Colt Model 1911 or U.S. martial arms collection.