This is the very first produced example of the exceptionally rare and iconic North American Arms Co. Model 1911 pistol, that was produced in December of 1918 in Quebec, Canada. In early July 1918, the U.S. Government issued a contract for 500,000 Model 1911 pistols to the North American Arms Co., previously the Dominion (Ross) Rifle Plant. The company leased the plant for manufacturing and as part of the contract, the U.S. Government was to supply all of the raw materials necessary for production. However, due to material shortages during the war and the time it took the plant to get tooled up for production, the Government was only able to supply enough material to produce approximately "100 sets" of initial start-up or prototype parts. Due to the armistice of November 1918, the contract was canceled in December of 1918 with no examples of completed pistols ever being accepted by the U.S. Government. As part of the contract termination settlement, the U.S. Ordnance Board did eventually accept/reclaim a large portion of the manufactured and completed parts and assemblies, most of which were later disposed of. Some however, were later assembled into completed pistols. These 100 pistols were uniquely stamped with only a controlling serial number in two locations, the left lower area of the frame under the grip panel, and the left upper rear corner of the slide. This example is unique however, and as Donald B. Bady states on p. 247 of his book, "Colt Automatic Pistols", this pistol "might very well be the first assembled specimen of their manufacture. Bady specifically lists the left side slide markings which are hand engraved "W. E. LAWTON/NORTH AMERICAN ARMS Co/QUEBEC. CANADA/DEC. 19th 1918". The date on this pistol falling just 15 days after the U.S. government had suspended the contract for pistols with North American Arms Co. Bady goes on to state that W. E. Lawton was the managing director of the company at the time. Along with this information, and the fact that the pistol is numbered "1" on the frame under the left grip and on the inside of the slide, it is almost beyond doubt that this was the very first of the 100 pistols assembled from the parts manufactured in the former Ross Rifle plant. Bady theorizes that the unique placement of the serial numbers on the known "standard" examples of the North American Model 1911s suggests that none were ever submitted for government approval, which would indicate that the pistols were assembled after the suspension of the contract, which legitimizes the date on the slide of this example and it being the first assembled. The only other markings visible on this pistol are "crown/BNP", crossed scepter, and British nitro proofs on the frame, slide, and barrel, as well as what appears to be "L ?" on the slide catch. More evidence supporting this pistols status is that there is a cutaway section on the right rear of the frame revealing the hammer and trigger mechanism, indicating that this frame was likely a pre-production test or demonstration part, as well as some features not normally seen on the "100" assembled North Americans. These features being; a wide checkered hammer, a lanyard loop at the bottom of the flat smooth mainspring housing, and no serial number on the upper left rear of the exterior of the slide. More information on these "standard" examples from North American can be found on p. 219-221 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows and on p. 201-204 of "Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1" by Clawson. The trigger on this example is a replacement and is numbered "5". It is fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slide catch, thumb safety, wide spur hammer, and magazine release, short grip safety, flat smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop, long smooth trigger, and an unmarked two-tone magazine with a lanyard loop.

Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish with the balance thinned to a smooth grey patina, some scattered light handling/takedown marks, and crisp markings. The trigger is a North American produced replacement as mentioned above. The grips are excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.