This is a very fine example of a early WWI Colt M1911 pistol as shipped to the U.S. Army in May 1917. This pistol is accompanied by a Colt factory letter dated March 1996 that verifies this pistol was one of a 500 gun shipment and was sent to the U.S. Expeditionary Forces, Hoboken, NJ. in May 1917. The AEF were the first group of US solders that were shipped to France after the US entered WWI. The left side of the slide is marked with the standard Colt factory two block, two line markings with the Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations. The right side is marked "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY". The left side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and has the circled "GHS" inspection mark of Major Gilbert H. Stewart (1914-1918).The pistol still retains the correct original WWI parts such as the checkered Colt wide spur hammer, flat main spring housing, checkered slide stop and the type III thumb safety. It is fitted with a WWI Colt barrel that is marked over the chamber area with the separated "H" and "P" proofmarks with "5" on the underside in front of the lug. This fine pistol still retains the WWI pattern Colt checkered walnut grips with the larger diamond pattern around the screw holes and is complete with one half-tone magazine.

Very fine with 85% plus of the blue finish with edge and high spot wear with minor brown patina spotting overall. The grips are also very fine with nice original checkering on both sides. Shows minor wear across the tops of the checkering with minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.