Manufactured in 1914, in the first block of serial numbers reserved for Springfield Armory production, this is a very fine original example of a U.S. Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Springfield Armory for the United States military. The left side of the slide has the standard three-line Colt patent dates and two-line "SPRINGFIELD ARMORY/U.S.A." markings in two blocks, as well as an ordnance bomb behind the serrations. The right side of the slide is marked with the Department of Defense eagle and "MODEL OF 1911.U.S. ARMY." The left side of the frame has the U.S. property marking and an ordnance bomb near the trigger guard, and the serial number is marked on the right. Features blade and notch sights, checkered wide hammer, short grip safety, and a smooth straight mainspring housing with a lanyard ring. The blued barrel is marked "S" on the left of the lug. It is fitted with a pair of checkered, large diamond pattern, correct walnut grips and a correct heavily pitted reblued magazine with a lanyard ring "wrap around" base. Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection

Very good, retains 80% of the arsenal refinished parkerized finish on the slide and 50% armory rust blue on the frame, with the balance having thinned to a mostly smooth grey-brown patina, primarily on edges and the grip straps, and a patch of light pitting on the left of the slide near the muzzle. The grips are good with some mild wear, light handling marks, and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically fine, but magazine does not engage the slide stop.