A nice M1911A1 from Swissvale, PA

[Scott Gahimer]

Not what you probably expected.

1942/43 Colt M1911A1 858090

Original and unaltered. Shipped between late November 1942 and January 1943 to Springfield Armory. A Colt factory letter is required to verify the exact date of shipping because Colt stopped shipping in numerical order during WWII at serial number at 799441 to increase the rate of production.

Matching numbered slide. The magazine is a commercial-to-military transferred pinned base magazine with the base plate marked COLT (over) .45 AUTO. These magazines were shipped with some Colt pistols in 1942 through early 1943. This is a beautiful 1942-43 Colt that is near new condition. Extremely rare and desirable in this condition.

Colt large G barrel.

When this pistol came out of the woodwork from Swissvale, PA, through the deceased veteran's family in 2002, it was still wrapped in a newspaper dated January 1946. Upon receipt and during inspection, a thin film of dried grease flaked off the outside of the pistol like fine dust. The pistol had not been disturbed for more than 56 years. It was a real discovery.

Included with the pistol, but packed separately, were (2) two-tone magazines, a lanyard, a military issue brass cleaning rod and a 1940 version military field manual for the pistol.

When the GI returned to the States, the pistol was apparently greased and wrapped in the newspaper, then stuffed inside what looks to be an old gun sock.

Even though the issue of 2-tone magazines was discontinued during 1943, many were still in use throughout the remainder of WWII. Brass cleaning rods, lanyards, holsters and other WWI gear were still regularly issued and used in WWII.

Information

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