This excellent example of an original U.S. Colt Model 1911A1 Pistol that was manufactured in 1940 and is one of U.S. M1911A1 Colt pistols inspected by Major Charles S. Reed when he inspected 1911A1's during the period from August 1938 to Dec 1940. This pistol has the original pre-WWII brush blue finish and the early pattern checkered walnut grips without the reinforcing rings and large diamond pattern on the sides. These pistols are very scarce on the collectors market today as they were issued early enough prior to WWII that they saw extensive use. The left side of the slide has the Colt two line patent address markings of "PATENTED APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902. with COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO." over "DEC. 19. 1905. FEB. 14. 1911. AUG .19. 1913. and HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A." with the Rampant Colt in the middle and the right side of the slide is blank. The left side of the trigger guard bow is stamped with the Colt "VP/Triangle" proof mark with the initials "CSR" for Charles S. Reed the ordnance inspector below the slide stop release along with a single "P" proof mark below the magazine release button. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY/No719438" behind the slide stop hole, with "M1911A1 U.S.ARMY" ahead of it. A single "P" proof mark is stamped on the top of the slide ahead of the rear sight. The matching pistol serial number is stamped on the rear face of the slide above and below the firing pin hole. The pistol has the WWII pattern short grip safety, wide spur checkered hammer, milled trigger with checkered main-spring housing, safety lock and slide stop.