Essex Arms M1911A1 .45 ACP, 5-Inch, Assembled With Colt 'MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY' Slide, GI Features
This assembled 1911 pairs a period-correct Colt 'MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY' slide with an Essex Arms 1911A1-type steel frame. It retains GI-pattern small fixed sights, an unlowered ejection port, and classic A1 details including a short serrated trigger, relief cuts behind the trigger, and an arched mainspring housing with lanyard loop. Chambered in .45 ACP with a 5-inch barrel and 7+1 capacity, it offers a historically flavored configuration in a custom build.
This is not a Colt-manufactured 1911. The frame is an Essex Arms receiver, a popular aftermarket foundation introduced in the late 1970s and commonly used by gunsmiths for custom 1911 projects. The Colt slide is period-correct for 1913 and bears the 1897–1913 patent line, but the pistol as a whole is not a full Colt 1911.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The pistol is functionally sound. There is extensive pitting and rust present throughout. The bore is bright and clean.
What's Included
- Essex Arms M1911A1 .45 ACP pistol assembled with Colt 'MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY' slide
- 1x 7-round steel single-stack 1911 magazine
The slide is a Colt military M1911 pattern marked 'MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY' with the 1897–1913 patent line, featuring vertical rear serrations and a GI-profile, unlowered ejection port. The frame is an Essex Arms (Island Pond, VT) 1911A1-type steel receiver, reflecting a parts-built configuration rather than a factory Colt pistol.
A1 details are present throughout: short serrated trigger with relief cuts behind the trigger guard, arched mainspring housing with lanyard loop, and a wide spur, checkered hammer. Controls follow the GI pattern, including the slide stop and thumb safety, with both a thumb safety and grip safety in place.
Sights are classic GI pattern with a small fixed half-moon front and a small notch rear. The recoil spring plug is checkered, and the pistol wears wood double-diamond checkered grip panels secured with slotted screws for a traditional look and feel.