Colt M1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP, 5 in, 1918 WWI, Government-size, Blued, Double-Diamond Walnut Grips
This 1918 Colt M1911 U.S. Army is a World War I military-contract pistol with the correct "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY" slide legend and "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" frame marking. It features the pre-A1 frame profile with no relief cuts behind the trigger, a 5-inch barrel, and double-diamond checkered walnut grips.
Marked with an ordnance inspector cartouche and finished in blued steel that has matured to a gray-brown patina, it represents a well-preserved service-era example.
Built to the Government-size pattern, this .45 ACP 1911 uses the classic short-recoil, locked-breech, single-action system. Sights are the period-correct fixed half-moon front and U-notch rear. Controls include a wide-spur checkered hammer, checkered slide stop and thumb safety, and a long, solid trigger. Safety features comprise a thumb safety, grip safety, inertial firing pin, and half-cock notch.
As a pre-A1 configuration, it retains hallmark early features: a flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, short grip-safety spur, checkered recoil spring plug, and vertical rear slide serrations. The steel frame and slide wear a blued finish that has aged evenly, complemented by double-diamond checkered walnut stocks that enhance grip and period correctness.
Chambered in .45 ACP with a 7+1 capacity, this pistol remains clean internally with good rifling in the bore. It comes with one steel single-stack 7-round magazine with witness holes and a suede leather holster with a metal belt clip for carry or storage.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There is minor surface pitting present. The high edges show finish loss. The original blued finish has aged to a gray-brown patina.
What’s Included
- One 7-round steel single-stack magazine with witness holes
- Suede leather holster with metal belt clip
This U.S. military-contract Model of 1911 was manufactured in 1918 and is marked accordingly, including "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" on the frame and an ordnance inspector cartouche. The slide carries the "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY" legend, aligning with its WWI service-era origin.
Key early-production attributes are present: the pre-A1 frame without relief cuts behind the trigger, a flat mainspring housing with a lanyard loop, short grip-safety spur, and checkered small parts including the recoil spring plug, slide stop, and thumb safety. The wide-spur, checkered hammer and long, solid trigger complete the period-correct control set.
The pistol retains its fixed WWI-style sights, with a half-moon front and U-notch rear, and the slide shows vertical rear serrations. Double-diamond checkered walnut stocks offer a secure hold and complete the classic appearance.
Configured with a 5-inch barrel and chambered in .45 ACP, the platform provides a 7+1 capacity. The steel frame and slide wear a blued finish that has transitioned to an even gray-brown patina, consistent with careful use and age.