Manufactured in 1941, at the very beginning of U.S. involvement in World War II, and just after Colt switched to a parkerized finish to expedite production. The left side of the matching number slide is marked with the two-line/two-block address separated by the Rampant Colt, "W.B." inspected frame with "T/VP" proof, matching "P" proofs on the frame and slide, and standard U.S. property and army nomenclature on the right of the frame. Fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slide catch, thumb safety, and wide checkered hammer, long grip safety, and arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop. Fitted with a parkerized "R" marked magazine, full blue barrel with "COLT 45 AUTO" and "G" on the bottom and "P" on the lug, and hollow-back checkered grips. Provenance: The Steven Preston Military Collection

Excellent plus, as issued, retains 99% of the original parkerized finish with some very light edge wear and some scattered light handling/takedown marks. The grips are also excellent plus with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.