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Lot 1483:Pre-World War II 1938 Production U.S. Army Colt Model 1911A1

September 11th, 2021|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1483

Lot 1483:Pre-World War II 1938 Production U.S. Army Colt Model 1911A1

September 11th, 2021|Rock Island, IL
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Estimated Price$6,500 - $11,000
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Very Scarce Documented Pre-World War II 1938 Production U.S. Army Colt Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter

This is a very scarce example of one of 1,296 Colt Model 1911A1 pistols manufactured in 1938 under contract for the U.S. Army; per the included letter, it was part of a 350 piece shipment to Springfield Armory on 27 June 1938. The second lowest production year for the 1911/1911A1, 1938 marked the shift from the "Transitional 1911" (1911A1 features but still with 1911 nomenclature) to the full 1911A1, and could be considered the birth year for the pistol that would see America from World War II through the lion's share of the Cold War. Blade front and flat top notch rear sights, with the two-line, two-block address and patent dates on the left side of the matching number slide divided by the Rampant Colt, a "P/H" (Hauff) inspected frame with "P/VP" and "60" on the trigger guard. The barrel is marked "COLT 45 AUTO", "G" on the bottom, and "P" on the lug. Fitted with a short milled trigger, long grip safety, checkered wide hammer, slide catch, thumb safety and arched mainspring housing, replacement grips (left hollow, right ribbed), unmarked two-tone magazine.

ConditionVery good, retains 30% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned mostly to a smooth grey patina, more prominent on the slide and grip straps, and a few scattered small patches of light surface pitting. The replacement grips are fine with a few light blemishes in the overall crisp checkering and four notches cut into the left panel. Mechanically excellent.
Details
ManufacturerColt
Model1911A1
TypePistol
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Handgun
Caliber / Gauge45 ACP
Barrel5 inch round
Finishblue
Gripplastic
Bore conditionSlight Darkening - Light to moderate pitting

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views2715
Catalog page377
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