Foster Industries 1911 Government .45 ACP, Full-Size SAO — Custom Build with Auto-Ordnance Slide and Colt Barrel, GI-Pattern
This full-size .45 ACP 1911 stands out as a custom build assembled from mixed-manufacturer components: a Foster Industries steel frame, an Auto-Ordnance–marked slide, and a Colt-marked barrel. It retains a classic Government configuration with a 5-inch barrel, small fixed GI-pattern sights, and a standard bushing-and-plug system. Clear factory markings on the slide, barrel, and frame document the parts origin.
GI-style features include a spur hammer, standard grip safety, and rear vertical slide serrations, paired with checkered wood double-diamond grips. The pistol operates in single-action only and includes traditional 1911 safety elements. A 7-round single-stack magazine is included, bringing total capacity to 7+1.
Left slide marking reads "AUTO-ORDNANCE CORP 45 CALIBER AUTOMATIC," the barrel hood is marked "COLT 45 AUTO," and the right side of the frame is marked "FOSTER IND. WOLCOTT, VT USA." This configuration offers a straightforward, GI-style 1911 build with clearly identifiable component origins.
Controls and features are consistent with a traditional Government-pattern pistol: fixed GI-pattern sights (staked front, small fixed rear), GI-height ejection port, solid trigger, and steel frame construction. Country of origin is USA.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: There is notable finish loss with areas of rust present. The trigger functions but may need replacement.
What’s Included
- Foster Industries 1911 Government .45 ACP pistol
- 1x steel 7-round single-stack 1911 magazine (standard-length, flush base, GI-style witness holes)
This pistol uses a Foster Industries frame from Wolcott, VT, matched with an Auto-Ordnance–marked slide and a Colt-marked barrel, making its component history easy to verify by markings. The build follows the GI template with a standard barrel bushing and plug, small fixed sights, and a GI-height ejection port.
Operation is single-action only with a solid trigger. Built on a steel frame and outfitted with a spur hammer, standard grip safety, and checkered wood double-diamond grips, it delivers a traditional 1911 control layout. Safety features include a thumb safety, grip safety, disconnector, and half-cock notch.
The fixed GI-pattern sights consist of a staked front and a small fixed rear. The slide carries rear vertical serrations for purchase during manipulation. Capacity is 7+1 with the included 7-round magazine.
Barrel length is 5 inches in the classic Government format. The pistol is a U.S.-made, full-size 1911 on the 1911 platform, configured for .45 ACP.