1912 mfg. Colt M1911 s/n 16488
Colt M1911 No.16488
Original and unaltered. One of the last M1911 pistols manufactured in 1912. Shipped from Colt’s December 21, 1912 to Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory, as one of 500 pistols in the 38th shipment of M1911 pistols (s/n 16251-16750).
One of the first M1911 pistols with standardized finish, markings and small parts. At serial number 7501, the position of the serial number was moved back on the right side of the receiver, just forward of the grip panel to provide a more sturdy location for stamping which also provided more protection from holster wear.
This pistol still has the early rounded rear sight, circled rampant colt logo stamped behind the cocking serrations on the left side of the slide (used s/n 1 through ca. s/n 20,000), final patent date of 1911, “smoky blue” small parts and “fine finish” blued finish.
This pistol’s barrel has an H without serifs stamped on the back on the hood extension and has the same contours and finish as the earlier Colt barrel. The magazine catch lock is the 3rd type, which was standardized at ca. s/n 6000. The magazine is a Type 2 punch-and-saw cut (Keyhole) type. These magazines were shipped with new pistols from s/n 4501 through mid-1913 up to about s/n 38,000-40,000.
The intertwined WGP monogram of Major Walter G. Penfield, the Army’s 1st Inspector of Ordnance, was struck on M1911 pistols 1912-1914 from s/n 1 through ca. s/n 101500. The final inspection marks were struck by civilian inspectors working for the Ordnance Dept. under the authority of the various Inspectors of Ordnance throughout production.
Colt No.16488 is a nice example of an early, unaltered M1911 from 1912.
Left side
http://i40.tinypic.com/2nbh7xd.jpg
Right side
http://i42.tinypic.com/27y7fj5.jpg
Top view
http://i41.tinypic.com/mvi886.jpg
Butt end
http://i44.tinypic.com/2hp0hvr.jpg
Matching bevel cut on MSH and frame
http://i41.tinypic.com/so5ylw.jpg
Front strap
http://i39.tinypic.com/1h5a93.jpg
Colt 15-row grips
http://i43.tinypic.com/2mrsgup.jpg
Back strap
http://i40.tinypic.com/2q8ollf.jpg
WGP final inspection
http://i41.tinypic.com/2wok9oz.jpg
Left side markings
http://i42.tinypic.com/vhdms4.jpg
Right side markings
http://i44.tinypic.com/2s0y3qu.jpg
Smoky-blue small parts
http://i39.tinypic.com/33m78d1.jpg
Early barrel with rough dark finish
http://i39.tinypic.com/73fk35.jpg
Early "keyhole"magazine side view
http://i43.tinypic.com/214s309.jpg
Early "keyhole" magazine rear view
http://i40.tinypic.com/v4yrnm.jpg
