This is most likely the finest known U.S. World War II Colt Model 1911A1 Automatic Pistol. It was shipped from Colt to the Springfield Armory on May 29, 1941. The pistol has the Colt military blue finish and is fitted with brown checkered "Coltwood" plastic stocks. This is one of the last Colt Model 1911A1 pistols with a blued finish and one of the first pistols with plastic stocks. Colt officially initiated use of the Type II phosphate finish (parkerizing) at Model 1911A1 serial number 729993 although the blued finish ("Type III black oxide military finish") continued to be used through serial number 760000. Colt started using the plastic Coltwood stocks at about serial number 725000. The pistol has the original pre-war components, milled trigger with serrated face, short wide-spur hammer, Model 1924 slide stop, checkered mainspring housing and Improved Model 1911 front sight. The barrel has a full blue finish and is marked: "COLT 45 AUTO" on the lower left side of the chamber and has a "P" proofmark stamped on the left side of the barrel lug. The Coltwood stocks have reinforcing rings around the screw holes but lack the interior strengthening ribs found on later Coltwood stocks. Single digit mold numbers are present on the inside of the stocks. The magazine is the commercial pattern issued with pre-war, U.S. contract, Model 1911A1 pistols; it has a full blue finish, pinned base and is marked, "COLT/45 AUTO" on the floor plate. The receiver has a polished feed ramp and is stamped with the Robert Sears inspection mark ("R.S." in a rectangle) to the right of the disconnector hole. A "G" production order mark is stamped immediately below the inspection mark. The serial number, "730/964" is stamped on the rear of the slide in two lines above and below the firing pin hole. The right side of the receiver is marked: "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No730964" in two lines behind the slide stop hole. "M1911A1 U.S. ARMY" is roll-stamped on the right side of the receiver in front of the slide-stop hole. The Ordnance "R.S." final inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the receiver below the slide stop. A "P" proofmark is stamped below the magazine release. The left side of the trigger guard bow is stamped with the Colt "T" assembler's mark above the Colt triangle "V/P" proofmark. A "P" proofmark is stamped on the top of the slide ahead of the rear sight. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the two-line, elongated Colt 1897-1913 patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt trademark and "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO./HARTFORD, CT.U.S.A." in two-lines.

Unissued. The pistol has all of the original components and retains 99% plus of the crisp original blue finish. The grips and magazine are in the same condition as the slide and receiver. The pistol remains in exceptional condition and shows minimal handling marks. Pre-world war II, 1941 production pistols were typically subject to the most service use and are very difficult to find in excellent condition. This is an outstanding example of a 1941 production, "R.S." inspected, Colt Model 1911A1 Automatic Pistol. This is the finest U.S. Colt 1911A1 World War II we have ever offered.