SOLD - Rare USMC Colt 1911 Rig - 1917 Mfg

Description

9/25/24 - This is an extremely rare and highly desirable Colt 1911 that was issued to the U.S. Marine Corps in 1917. One of only 400 pistols shipped to the United States Marine Corps on August 3rd, 1917. During the course of World War I, Colt shipped a total of approximately 9,950 Model 1911 pistols to the Marine Corps and at least 25 Government Models, making these pistols incredibly scarce in comparison to their Army shipped counterparts. Unlike the Navy contract Model 1911 pistols, which have a special slide marking, those that were shipped to the Marine Corps had the standard Army nomenclature, as is present on this example. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line, two-block address and patent markings with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations and "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY" on the right. The frame is marked with the serial number on the right and the property marking and circled "GHS" inspection mark on the left. The full blue barrel is marked on the chamber hood with "P" and "H". This particular gun has retained roughly 85% of its original bluing. Most of the wear is on the grip straps, but there is also wear along the slide, concentrated mostly around the high edges. Some small spots of light oxidation here and there. The bore has great rifling, but there is some light pin-pricking in the grooves. Fitted with period-correct wood grips. Comes as a rig with a proper two-tone magazine and a very nice 1917-dated holster.