Active from August of 1938 to December of 1940, Major Charles S. Reed's tenure as Inspector covers a range of less than 6,000 pistols, most of which were subjected to the rigors of wartime use and post-WWII overhauls, leaving very few displaying the kind of finish seen on this 1940-produced example. Fixed sights, with the left side of the matching number slide marked "PATENTED APR. 20, 1897. SEPT.9, 1902/DEC. 19, 1905. FEB. 14, 1911. AUG. 19, 1913" and "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A" on either side of the Rampant Colt, a "P" ahead of the rear sight, and the full serial number around the firing pin. The frame bears the "CSR" and "P" stamps above and below the magazine catch, "P/VP" and "69" on the guard, and "UNITED STATES PROPERTY M1911A1 U.S. ARMY/No719291" on the right, with early (rings, no ribs) plastic grips, milled trigger, wide hammer, long grip safety and an arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard ring. With a brown leather flap holster, and a set of pamphlets from the consignor which attribute the arm to his grandfather, sports writer Elijah William "Bill" Cunningham.

Very fine, with 75% of the original blue finish, showing a mixed brown and gray patina on the grip straps, bright edge wear, scratching around the slide stop and mild handling marks overall. The grips are also very fine, with some mild pressure dents. The holster shows cracking and scuffs, along with some dark spots, but remains supple. Mechanically excellent.