Manufactured in 1918, this is a scarce example of a Colt Model 1911 "carbine". The development of these pistols came about do to the need for more compact and rapid fire weapons in the trenches of World War I. With many countries developing and deploying early submachine guns, these pistols were an effort to simply modify an existing service weapon to fit the needs of the military. Due to the relatively short U.S. involvement in the war and the development of the Pedersen device for the Springfield Model 1903 rifles, there was not enough demand to drive development of the Model 1911 carbine any further, making surviving examples incredibly scarce. A very similar example is pictures and described on p. 252-253 of "Colt Automatic Pistols" by Bady. The left side of the slide has the standard two-line, two-block patents dates and address, with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations, and the right side has the model marking. The left of the frame has the U.S. property marking and "JMG" inspection mark with the serial number on the right. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, a replacement experimental 10 3/4 inch full blue barrel marked "HS" on the lug, long smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, mainspring housing cut for mounting a shoulder stock (not included), diamond pattern checkered grips, and an unmarked two-tone magazine. Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection

Very fine, retains 80% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges and the front strap. The grips are also very fine with some scattered light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.