This is a very early example of a US Army contract Model 1911A1 pistol as manufactured by Colt in 1940. In this block of serial numbers Colt produced approximately 2468 pistols in total and they exhibited excellent workmanship with many of the early features. The left side of the frame is marked "CSR" for Major Charles S. Reed. Reed was temporarily assigned to Colt as Officer in Charge of Outside Inspection from August 2, 1938 to December 31, 1940. Below that is a "P" proof by the magazine catch, the right side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" over "No 718903", with "M1911A1 US ARMY" ahead of the slide stop. The top of the frame is marked C.S.R. next to a "G" indicating a Government contract pistol. The right side of the barrel lug is marked "P" with a "G" ahead of the lug and the bottom of the slide at the rear is marked "J/N". The slide is the correct early version with the two block, two line patent/address on the left side with the Rampant Colt in the middle of the marking and the correct "P" proof on top in front of the rear sight. It has the matching serial number (718903) on the back of the slide under the firing pin stop. It has the early checkered slide stop, thumb safety, hammer spur and arched main spring housing with a lanyard ring on the butt. Checkered milled trigger, blue magazine marked "COLT / 45 AUTO" on the bottom and fitted with checkered plastic grips.

Fine. The pistol retains 50% of the correct original 'brushed" blue finish with overall scattered minor spotting. The grips are excellent, with the exception of some residue in the checkering at the top of the left panel, there are a few minor dings and very crisp checkering. The markings are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. If one desires a correct representative early World War II 1940 production Colt Model 1911A1, here it is!