This is a rare example of one of 1,296 Colt Model 1911A1 pistols manufactured in 1938 under contract for the U.S. Army. Clawson lists this pistol on p. 396 of " Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1" as part of a shipment to Springfield Armory on 21 May 1938. The lowest production year for the 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. The left side of the slide has the standard two-line, two-block patent dates and address, bisected by the Rampant Colt. The left side of the frame is marked "P" and "H", while the right side is marked with the standard U.S. property, model, and serial number. The left of the trigger guard is marked "T/VP", while the right is marked "60". The barrel is marked "COLT 45 AUTO" on the lower left, "P" inspector stamp on the left of the lug, and "G" on the bottom in front of the lug, with a polished chamber hood. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slide stop, short trigger, thumb safety, wide hammer, and arched mainspring housing; checkered walnut grips, and an unmarked later production parkerized magazine.

Very fine, retains 70% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on the grip straps and in the form of light holster wear, and a few pinprick spots of light surface pitting on the front strap. The grips are fine with moderate wear and some minor handling marks, but otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare chance at a very fine example of a 1938 production U.S. Colt Model 1911A1 pistol!