This is a U.S. contract Colt Model 1911A1 pistol that was shipped from Colt to the Springfield Armory on November 7, 1941. The pistol has the "Type II phosphate military finish" (parkerized) first used by Colt in May 1941. The receiver feed ramp is bright. The pistol has a short, milled trigger with checkered face, short, wide-spur hammer with bordered knurling, early pattern checkered mainspring housing and Model 1924 type slide stop. The pistol has a blued barrel stamped: "COLT 45 AUTO" on the lower left side of the chamber and "P" on the left side of the barrel lug. A small "G" (Government production order) is stamped on the underside of the barrel directly in front of the barrel lug. The pistol has brown, checkered, "Coltwood" plastic stocks. The stocks have mold numbers on the inside but lack the strengthening ribs found on later Coltwood and Keyes Fiber stocks. The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No748230" in two lines behind the slide stop hole and "M1911A1 U.S ARMY" in a single line in front of it. The left side of the receiver is stamped with the initials "R.S." in a rectangle below the slide stop hole. A "P" proof mark is stamped on the left side of the receiver below the magazine release. A "T" assembler's mark and the Colt "triangle/VP" proof mark are stamped on the left side of the trigger guard bow. The "R.S." Ordnance inspection mark and a "G" Colt government contract mark are stamped on the top of the receiver to the right of the disconnector hole. The serial number, "748/230" is stamped on the rear of the slide underneath the firing pin stop. The side and receiver serial numbers match. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the elongated, 1897-1913 patent dates in two lines followed by the Rampant Colt trademark and "COLT'S PT.F.A. MFG CO./HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." in a two-line block. A "P" proof mark is stamped on the top of the slide between the rear sight and the ejection port. The pistol is complete with a Colt, full-blue, "CS" marked magazine. Pre-war, "R.S." inspected, Colt Model 1911A1 pistols were among the first Model 1911A1 pistols issued after Pearl Harbor; these pistols are difficult to find in excellent original condition with original components.

Excellent. The pistol is all original and retains 97% plus of the original parkerized finish. Finish loss is confined to some very minor holster wear on the leading edges of the slide, receiver and trigger guard. The finish on the mainspring housing has thinned slightly. The barrel chamber retains approximately 95% of the original blue finish with some minor cycling wear. The receiver and frame markings are crisp. The Coltwood stocks are in excellent plus condition; the stock screws have most of the original finish and are free from screw-driver marks. This is an excellent, original example of a pre-war, parkerized, "R.S." inspected Colt Model 1911A1 automatic pistol.