1918 WWI Colt Model 1911 - Black Army

Description

8/14/26 - This is a Colt Model 1911 manufactured in 1918 and issued to the US Army during WWI with a "Black Army" finish. The United States entered World War I short of handguns, and in order to meet the growing military demand Colt was forced to speed up production, which necessitated a shorter finishing process. In mid-1918, from about serial 312000 through the end of the war, surface preparation stopped at the rough polish stage, and the parts went into the oven without entering the fine polish stage. The coarser surface made the blue come out darker and duller than the earlier brushed blue, and the finish was thinner and less durable. It often flaked and left splotchy, uneven color. This particular example exhibits all the tell-tale characteristics of this idiosyncratic variation; correct WWI configuration, including a flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop, short grip safety, and double diamond checkered walnut grips. Eagle head over S14 acceptance mark on the frame. Correct "H P" Colt barrel. It retains about 55-60% of its Black Army finish. Most of the blue is gone from the grip straps and mainspring housing, leaving bare gray-brown metal with spotty oxidation. The slide shows the same kind of uneven wear this finish is known for, with splotchy dark blue next to thinned and flaked patches, heavy finish loss at the muzzle, high edge wear, and scattered scratches on the slide flats. Light takedown mark on the left frame under the slide stop. The double diamond grips are in very nice shape with no chips or cracks, though the checkering is flattened, and smoothed from age and usage. The bore is excellent, shiny with strong rifling and light signs of use