This World War II Colt Model 1911A1 Pistol was manufactured by Colt and shipped to Springfield Armory on October 10, 1941. The pistol has a parkerized finish with blued barrel and brown plastic "Coltwood" grips. The pistol has the early rear style front sight, short, wide spur, hammer, milled trigger with knurled face, checkered safety lock and slide stop and checkered main spring housing. The barrel is blued and stamped "COLT 45 AUTO" on the lower right side of the chamber and "P" on the right side of the lug. The stocks are the early "Coltwood" pattern with reinforcing rings around the screws, mold marks on the inside but no interior strengthening ribs. The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No741566" behind the slide stop hole and "M1911A1 U.S.ARMY" ahead of it. The left side of the trigger guard has the Colt "triangle/VP" proof mark stamped on the trigger guard bow. The "R.S." Ordnance final inspection mark is stamped below the slide stop and a "P' proof mark is stamped to the rear of the magazine release. The slide has the serial number: "741/566" stamped above and below the firing pin hole. A "P" proof mark is stamped on the top of the slide ahead of the rear sight. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the elongated Colt patent dates, the Rampant Colt trademark and the Hartford logo. The pistol is complete with a WWI, two-tone, flat base magazine. Documents with the pistol indicate that it was the property of Lieutenant Marshall L. Biggs. Lieutenant Biggs was an aide to General Nichols, the commander of all Anti-Aircraft Artillery in the Hawaiian Islands. On December 7, 1941, hours after the infamous attack, Biggs was issued this pistol, holster and belt which he retained during and after WWII. After the Pearl Harbor attack, Biggs served with the abortive Wake Island relief force and was on Saipan in 1944. Included with the pistol is a 1918 dated Warren Leather Goods Model 1916 holster, a canvas magazine pouch with 2 magazines, "R.M.CO./ 1941" marked web pistol belt, and a Model 1917 helmet with WWII liner and chinstrap modifications. The name "JOHNSTON" and a service number are neatly written in ink on the inside of the helmet liner. The documentation includes a Colt factory letter (address removed), correspondence from Lt. Col Biggs, and 2 photographs featuring Biggs wearing this pistol. Formerly of the Putnam Green collection.

Excellent. The pistol retains approximately 95% of the parkerized finish. There is some holster wear on the front edges of the slide and receiver. The barrel chamber has about 85% of the original blue finish. The stocks are in excellent condition and the magazine has a bout 85% of the two-tone finish. All of the markings on the slide and receiver are crisp. The holster, pistol belt, magazine pouch and helmet all show moderate handling and storage wear and are in good to very good condition. This is an excellent example of a U.S. Colt M1911A1 pistol with well documented history.