This Marine Corps contract Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol was shipped to the Marines on October 3, 1917 as part of a lot of 400 pistols. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped: "MODEL OF 1911.U.S. ARMY" (all Marine contract M1911 pistols were marked "U.S. ARMY' - no Marine M1911 pistols had special markings). This pistol has the Colt 'brushed blue' finish adopted in 1917 and checkered walnut grips with 15 rows of checkering between the large diamonds surrounding the grip screws. The WWI production, flat base, two-tone magazine has an "R" on the top of the floorplate indicating that it was manufactured by the Risdon Tool and Machine Co. The slide and frame markings have the block style lettering utilized on the final three Marine M1911 contracts. The slide has the first style recoil spring housing utilized until about serial number 275,000. The pistol has the long spur hammer and flat top rear sight used on 1917 production M1911 pistols. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the 1897-1913 patent dates in a two-line block followed by the two-line block Hartford address. The Rampant Colt trademark is stamped on the left side of the slide behind the grip serrations. A block "H" Colt provisional inspection mark is stamped on the rear of the slide above the firing pin stop. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" ahead of the slide stop hole and has the "GHS" final inspection mark stamped above the magazine release. The top of the frame is stamped with a "H" provisional inspection mark in front of the disconnector hole, a block "G" production order mark behind the hole and a script "G" assembler's mark to the right of the hole. The top of the barrel chamber is stamped with a "P" proof mark and "H" provisional inspection mark parallel to the axis of the bore. A 1/4-inch high serif "R" is stamped on the right side of the frame on either side of the grip and on the left side of the frame above the inspection mark - all three marks were stamped after the pistol was blued. The significance of this mark is unknown. Included with the pistol is a scarce Marine long drop russet leather holster. The holster has "U.S.M.C." embossed in an oval on the front of the flap and features a leather tie-down strap with buckle and a brass finial on the top of the hanger to secure the top flap in open condition. The long drop holsters replaced the earlier U.S.M.C. swivel type holsters around 1917 and continued to be used by the Marines on a limited basis through the 1930s. The Marines purchased 9,950 M1911 pistols between 1912 and 1918. These pistols saw hard use before, during and after WWI and are scarce in any condition. Marine contract M1911 pistols in excellent condition are rare.

Excellent. This pistol is all original and retains 97% plus of the original brush blue finish. Wear is limited to traces of flaking near the bottom of the main spring housing, some very light edge wear and minor handling marks. The barrel has some light cycling wear on the top of the chamber but retains 95% of the original brush blue finish. The markings on the barrel, frame and slide are all crisp. The grips are in very fine condition with sharp checkering - the only significant wear is some shallow handling marks on the diamonds on the left grip. The magazine is in excellent condition and retains 95% of the two-tone finish. The scarce U.S.M.C. holster is in very good condition with smooth russet leather on the front and flap and crisp U.S.M.C. markings. All of the stitching is tight. The edges of the flap show some flaking and there is shallow cracking on the back of the holster and hanger. The rarely encountered tie-down strap has some edge wear and flaking but remains in good overall condition. This is an exceptional example of a scarce U.S. Marine Corps contract Colt 1911 pistol with equally scarce U.S.M.C. holster. It would be very difficult to find a better Marine contract U.S. Colt M1911 and holster.