This is a excellent and extremely rare Pre-World War I Model 1911 pistol that was manufactured by Springfield Armory and delivered in the last contract production run in April 1917. These N.R.A. marked pistols were originally sold through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) program, from late 1914 to June 1917 and again for a short time in 1922, just like the 1903 Springfield sales rifles were. These are easily identified as they have the small "N.R.A." markings stamped on the right side of the frame to denote it as a commercial sales pistol. Approximately 150 of these pistol have actually been accounted for over the years; (95 Springfield Manufacture and 47 Colt manufacture), making them a very rare handgun. It is accompanied by an affidavit stating it was formerly in the personal collection of Charles Clawson the noted author on Colt Model 1911 and Model 1911A1 service pistols. The right side of the slide has the standard Springfield Eagle and Shield motif located behind the ejection port and is marked "MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY." in front of the ejection port. The left side has a three-line, two-block marking "PATENTED APR. 20,1897/SEPT. 9, 1902. DEC. 19,1905. FEB.14,1911/COLT'S PT. F.A.MFG.CO" followed by "SPRINGFIELD ARMORY/U.S.A". The Ordnance Corps shell and flame insignia is located behind the slide serrations. The left front side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" with the small Ordnance shell and flame stamped above the magazine release. The right side of the frame is stamped with serial number "127904" behind the slide stop hole with the "N.R.A." stamp directly in front of the slide stop pin hole. The pistol has the distinctive Springfield Armory rust blue finish, large diamond panels around the stock screws with the small "S" on all the appropriate parts. It is equipped with the long hammer spur and the short horn on the grip safety, early checkered thumb safety and checkered slide stop. It is complete with the correct, original Springfield Armory 1/4 tone magazine with the folded bottom edges of the magazine with the lanyard loop on the base. This very rare pistol was originally owned or purchased by Albert S. Rice (Col. Ret.) probably some time after WWI, as he was a West Point Academy Graduate in June 1919. He attended the US Army tank School, 1929, BS degree in Mechanical Engineering MIT, 1932, graduated U.S. Ordnance School 1932. He was promoted to Captain in August 1935 and Major in July 1940. In June 1942, he was assigned as the Chief Ammunition Supply for the build-up of American Ammunition; [Services of Supply, (SOS ETOUSA) in London]. He was late discharged and medically retired in Jan 1944, due to a heart attack. Accompanied by an authentication letter by noted 1911 expert Mr. Scott Gahimer.

Excellent overall with 95% of the original blue finish with wear on the front section of the slide and frame extension, mixed with some thinning and spotting on sides and top of the slide. The grips are in excellent condition with nice checkering on both sides with minimal handling marks. This is a very scarce and relatively high condition Springfield Armory Model 1911 NRA marked pistol with military history.