1156 SUPER EARLY COLT M1911 MILITARY PISTOL.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 12,500.00 USD
Estimated at 25,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
SN. 40. Cal. 45ACP. Fabulous-looking Colt 1911 military, one of the first 83 pistols to have BOTH the large-letter Colt address and patent dates AND the large size “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” marking on the left side of the frame, the smaller format appearing soon after serial number 113, beginning in January 1912. This pistol has all the earliest features including the short hammer, rounded rear sight, early style safety lever, earliest magazine catch lock, high polish peacock blue small parts, and early 1st Type magazine with pinned exposed base lanyard loop floorplate. Left side of slide with large character two-line address reflecting patent dates of 1897 and 1911 followed by the Colt manufacturing address in Hartford. Behind the serrations is the encircled rampant colt. “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” in LARGE LETTERS is on the left side of the frame along with the rondel containing the intertwined WGP (Walter G. Penfield) inspector marking. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY” with “No. 40”, on the right side of the frame. Fitted with large diamond, checkered walnut grips and fully blued magazine with pinned lanyard loop floorplate. As was true for the first 100 1911s, disassembly shows NO inspection marks on the slide above the firing pin retainer, no markings on the barrel, and no markings around the disconnector. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Paper ordnance tag reading "Office of Chief Ordnance, War Dept, April 12, 1912". CONDITION: Approximately 95% beautifully and very professionally restored blue, planes flat and markings crisp, with wear as appropriate to a lightly holstered pistol, the majority around the muzzle and over the flat mainspring housing. Comparable wear on the original finished peacock blued small parts, the grips with sharp diamonds and age-appropriate darkening. Bright bore with sharp rifling. All markings were engraved during the refinishing process. Perfect manual mechanics. A super early, super rare Colt 1911 by any metric! (24-2215/LA). CURIO. $25,000-35,000.