Colt M1911 U.S. Army 'Black Army' .45 ACP, 5 Inch, 1918 WWI U.S. Army Contract
This late-WWI Colt M1911 U.S. Army 'Black Army' variant is a 1918-produced U.S. Army contract M1911 in .45 ACP with the expedited dull blue/black finish characteristic of the period. It retains its walnut double-diamond grips, GI fixed sights, and clear U.S. military markings, including UNITED STATES PROPERTY and the Ordnance eagle's head acceptance cartouche.
A U.S.-embossed leather flap holster and a GI-style 7-round magazine are included.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The late-WWI darkened 'Black Army' finish shows the typical flaking and thinning seen on this variant. The frame and slide exhibit notable surface wear and handling marks. The double-diamond walnut grip panels remain present, and the UNITED STATES PROPERTY marking is legible.
What’s Included
- 1x steel 7-round .45 ACP GI-style magazine with witness holes
- U.S.-embossed leather flap holster for M1911 (military-style)
As a 'Black Army' variant, this pistol features the wartime dull blue/black finish applied during late 1918 production and the period-correct vertical rear slide serrations. It is a full-size M1911 (Government-size) with a 5-inch barrel and a 7+1 single-stack capacity.
Military markings are correct for the era: the right slide reads 'MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY,' while the left slide bears the patent block and Colt maker's mark with the mid-slide Rampant Colt. The frame is marked UNITED STATES PROPERTY, and the Ordnance eagle's head acceptance cartouche is located above the magazine release. An assembly/inspection numeral '18' is present on the front of the right trigger guard.
GI fixed sights include a half-moon front blade and a small U-notch rear. Controls are the early pattern with a long, smooth trigger, short-tang grip safety, and a wide spur, checkered hammer. The flat mainspring housing incorporates a lanyard loop, and a lanyard ring is present as specified for service use.
Construction is carbon steel for both frame and slide, finished in the characteristic dull blue/black 'Black Army' color. Operation is single-action with a short-recoil, locked-breech system, and safety features include a thumb safety and a grip safety. Walnut double-diamond checkered grip panels are secured with two screws per panel.
This example comes with a GI-style 7-round steel magazine with witness holes and a U.S.-embossed leather flap holster, complementing the pistol's WWI service configuration.