The Colt Model of 1911 was adopted as the standard issue sidearm of the United States military in 1911 following extensive trials. The design, developed by John Moses Browning, operates on a short recoil, locked breech system using a swinging link to cam the barrel out of lockup. Large scale procurement contracts were issued during the World War I period to multiple manufacturers including Colt, Springfield Armory, Remington UMC, and others to meet wartime demand. Pre-A1 pistols are distinguished from the later Model 1911A1 by their flat mainspring housing, short grip safety spur, wide hammer spur, original trigger profile, and double diamond checkered walnut grips with interior reinforcement ribs. Government inspectors were stationed at production facilities to proof and inspect pistols at various stages of manufacture, applying personal stamps and cartouches to accepted components and completed firearms.

This example is serial number 135746, manufactured by Colt in 1916. The pistol features checkered small parts including the slide stop, magazine release, hammer, recoil spring plug, and thumb safety, consistent with wartime military production. The grips are checkered walnut with reinforcement ribs; the inside of the left grip panel has "H. Chandler" hand scratched into the surface, and the right grip panel reinforcement diamond is stamped with an "S". Accompanied by one two tone magazine, no additional accessories.

Markings

The left side of the frame is roll marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" and bears the GHS cartouche of Gilbert H. Stewart, the principal government inspector at the Colt factory during this production period. The top rear edge of the slide is stamped with an "H" attributed to Frank Hosmer, an assistant inspector working under Stewart. Top inside of frame marked "SU" and "H". The barrel hood is marked with a "P" proof mark and an "H" inspection mark. The bottom of the barrel is stamped with a "5". The left side of the frame is marked "AA".

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company
• Model: Model of 1911 U.S. Army
• Serial Number: 135746
• Date of Manufacture: 1916
• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Action: Single action, semi-automatic, short recoil
• Barrel Length: 5 inches
• Frame: Steel, blued
• Slide: Steel, blued
• Grips: Checkered walnut with reinforcement ribs
• Mainspring Housing: Flat, with lanyard loop
• Sights: Fixed blade front, fixed notch rear
• Safety: Frame mounted thumb safety, grip safety
• Magazine: One two tone magazine