Synopsis:

Original finish Springfield Armory 1911 US military pistol made in late 1914, well used with a number of replacement parts, with field replacement Springfield Armory barrel and correct magazine.

Description:

Springfield Model 1911 U.S. Army pistol SN: 80407 manufactured in at end of 1914, placing it before the World War I production, a period when these pistols first proved themselves in combat with American forces. Standard features include blade front sight and drift adjustable "U" notch rear sight. The left side of slide bears the correct three-line Springfield address marking with patent dates (April 20, 1897, September 9, 1902, December 19, 1905, and February 14, 1911) referencing John Moses Browning’s revolutionary design patents, along with “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” followed by “SPRINGFIELD ARMORY/U.S.A.”. Left side of frame with U.S. property markings. The right side of the slide displays The Great Seal of the United States and the proper military markings “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY” with the serial number on the right frame. Springfield replacement barrel with both "P" and "S" on the left side of the lug. Dark walnut grips secured with two screws in the double diamond checkering pattern. Correct period military two-toned magazine, with top half in the white, folded floorplate with lanyard loop. Other features include long smooth trigger, late Springfield checkered hammer, and short grip safety, all characteristic of the early WWI military Model 1911 pistols. Other "S" marked parts, evident on limited disassembly, include barrel bushing, hammer, and firing pin stop. The slide stop and extractor are unmarked. There was no further disassembly.

Condition:

G overall with most of the slide and other areas of contact, particularly the front and back straps, having faded to a brownish-gray, original blue remaining in protected areas. Slide stop and extractor are likely replacements as neither of them are "S" marked. Oil darkened grips with blunted diamonds and handling marks but no splits or noticeable losses. Springfield magazine is in the same general condition as the pistol as is the field replacement barrel, the bore with moderate frosting/oxidation.