Early Colt M1911 No.403

[Scott Gahimer]

Colt M1911 No.403

One of the first 500 M1911 pistols. Original and unaltered. Assembled at the Colt factory February 5, 1912. Shipped from Colt’s to Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory on February 15, 1912, as one of 200 pistols in the 4th shipment of M1911 pistols (s/n 301-500).
The first 2400 pistols were blued with a bright, glistening, mirror-like “oil finish”. Small parts, stock screws and magazine bases and followers were a brilliant reflective “fire-blue” color. This finish proved to be too brilliant and not durable to wear and scratches. On January 25, 1912 the Ordnance Office requested the finish be changed to reflect less light in combat, and that the shade of the blue finish resemble that of the barrel of the U.S. Rifle, Model of 1903. The new, dull “fine finish” was approved March 23, 1912. All pistols after No. 2400 had the new dull finish.
Early Features of Colt M1911 No.403
• Brilliant oil finish and fire blued small parts (s/n 1-2400)
• First type “No.” serial number prefix and early serif style serial number (s/n 1-4500)
• First position of serial number right side forward of the slide stop pin (s/n 1-7500)
• First type dimpled magazine catch lock with no screwdriver slot (s/n 1-3189)
• First type recoil spring closed both ends w/ un-punched plug (s/n 1-6500+/-)
• First type shallow head stock screws with shallow screwdriver slots (s/n 1-ca. 3000)
• First type exposed base magazine (s/n 1-4500)
• First type non-dimpled mainspring housing pin (s/n 1-6500+/-)
• First type barrel w/ serif H on the back of the hood extension (ca. s/n 101-6500)
• First type small parts with hand checkering on some parts (s/n 1-ca.500)
These early M1911 pistols are among the rarest and most beautiful pistols ever produced. Of the 2400 produced, few are known to exist today or to have the condition of this original pistol.

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