Shipped to the inspector at Springfield Armory on April 26, 1940, this Colt Model 1911A1 pistol rig was consigned by the family of Harold Earl Warren, United States Navy. In 1941, Warren was an ensign assigned to Pearl Harbor, working in the communications center. On the morning of December 7, he was woken by his son, who had seen Japanese attack planes flying low over their family house en-route to Battleship Row, and stepped out the door as quickly as he could to report for duty. Not knowing the full scale of Japanese intentions and fearing invasion might be the next move, weapons were issued widely, with Ensign Warren drawing this pistol rig. Overall, it is a very fine example of the Model 1911A1, the American military go-to sidearm for generations, with a blade front sight and flat top rear sight on the matching numbered slide, with the two-line/two-block address and patent dates on the left side of the slide, "P" on top, and a "CSR" (Charles S. Reed) inspected frame. Reed is one of the less commonly seen inspectors, only active around 1938-1940. The pistol is outfitted with a checkered wide hammer, milled trigger, long grip safety, checkered slide stop, thumb safety and arched mainspring housing, unmarked two-tone magazine, early style "Coltwood" grips (no reinforcing ribs), and a full blue "COLT 45 AUTO" barrel. The web belt is tan canvas construction with "U.S." in black ink and a brass buckle set, with a 1917 dated "L.N.O." inspected brown leather holster and a 1918 dated "L.C.C. & CO." tan web magazine pouch with a pair of magazines. Details on the service of Ensign Warren are limited, but records indicate that he retired from the Navy at the rank of commander and passed away in 1979. In all likelihood, he retained this pistol for the remainder of his war service and eventually bought it as surplus. Other items from Harold Warren and the Warren family, including debris and shrapnel collected from around the family neighborhood in the aftermath of the attack, are currently in the inventory of the Museum of the Pacific War at the Admiral Nimitz State Historical Site in Fredericksburg, Texas. Also included with the lot is a photocopy of Ensign Warren's out-of-state Hawaii driver's license from August 9, 1941, listing his residence address as "Pearl Harbor" and a photocopied picture of Warren in uniform with a belt rig, likely the very one in this lot.

Very fine, with 80% plus of the original blue finish, showing areas of mixed gray and brown patina on the grip straps and upper right edge of the slide, scattered light spotting, bright edge wear and mild handling marks. The grips are also very fine, with a few light dings. The holster shows some mild cracks and scuffs, with a few minor stains on the canvas and verdigris buildup on the grommets. Mechanically excellent. A rare Reed-inspected 1911A1 pistol connected to one of the great turning points in the development of WWII and the history of the 20th century.