This is a fabulous example of a late WWI U.S. Army contract Model 1911 pistol that was manufactured by the Colt firearms company in 1917. This pistol has the correct style letters and markings with serifs and the Colt military brushed blue type finish. The left side of the slide has the standard Colt factory two-line, two-block 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" with the initials "GHS" for the U.S. Ordnance inspector Major Gilbert H. Stewart above the magazine release. The right side is stamped with the serial number "190173". The pistol still retains the correct original World War I parts such as the checkered Colt wide spur hammer, flat main spring housing, checkered slide stop and thick type III thumb safety. It is fitted with a WWII Colt replacement barrel that is marked "COLT 45 AUTO" on the lower left side and has a single small letter inspector proof on the underside of the barrel. This beautiful pistol still retains the original World War I Colt diamond pattern checkered walnut grips and is complete with one half-tone magazine.

Excellent plus with 98% plus of the original blue finish overall with just minor edge and high spot wear and a small area of scratches that have browned out on the left side below the slide stop pin hole. The grips are in excellent condition with nice sharp checkering on both sides. Mechanically excellent.