This excellent example of a U.S. Colt M1911 Automatic pistol was manufactured in 1918. This pistol was one of 4000 shipped from Colt to the Springfield Armory on February 6, 1918. The pistol has the Colt, WWI, 'brush blue' finish and is fitted with checkered walnut stocks with diamonds surrounding the stock screws. The pistol has a brush blue barrel, correct 1914 style safety lock, long hammer with rounded spur and slide with the old style recoil spring housing and small format "U.S. ARMY" markings. The pistol is complete with a 'two-tone' lanyard loop magazine and two, flat base, 'two tone' magazines. The markings use the Gothic style letters adopted by Colt in late 1917. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY" in a single line. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the Colt 1897-1913 patent dates in a two-line block followed by the two-line Hartford address. The Rampant Colt trademark is stamped behind the grip serrations. The right side of the frame has the serial number, " No 228457" stamped behind the slide lock hole. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped " UNITED STATES PROPERTY" ahead of the trigger guard. The "GHS" monogram of Ordnance Inspector MAJ. Gilbert H. Stewart is stamped just above the magazine release. The top of the frame is stamped with a "H" provisional inspection mark in front of the disconnector hole and a "G" government production order mark behind it. A "H" provisional inspection mark is stamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop. The top barrel chamber has a "H" provisional inspection mark and a "P" proof mark stamped perpendicular to the axis of the bore; a "P" is stamped on the right side of the barrel lug. The pistol is accompanied by a pre-war Herman H. Heiser russet leather holster, magazine pouch and belt with brass framed buckle; all three pieces are stamped with "H.H. HEISER/MAKER/DENVER" cartouches. The open top holster has atop strap and the signature Heiser rawhide wrapped main seam.

Excellent. The pistol retains 97% of the original military style factory blue finish. The finish is thinning slightly on the grip strap, underside of the trigger guard and mainspring housing. There is some minor holster wear on the muzzle end of the slide and some light age discoloration on the left side above the grip serrations. The barrel chamber retains approximately 70% of the original blue finish. The markings are crisp. The stocks are in excellent condition with only light handling wear. The magazines retain 95% or more of the original two-tone finish. The holster rig is in very fine to excellent condition with tight stitching and sharp markings on all of the components. This is an excellent U.S. Army contract M1911 pistols that is complete with a very desirable, matching, H.H. Heiser holster, magazine pouch and belt.