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WW1 Era Colt 1911 with X Replacement Serial and Archival Documents
Guns International #: 103736199 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Military Pistols - US - Colt Pistols - 1911
Seller's Information
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Seller: OriginalSandman
Member Since: 2/14/26
State: Virginia
Country: United States
Number of Active Listings: 1
Total Number of Listings: 4
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted:
Description:
For sale is a WW1-era Colt 1911 which has gone through two overhauls at Augusta Arsenal. At face value that's not particularly unique, but what sets this example apart from the rest is its Colt factory serials has been overwritten with an X-Prefix replacement serial. The X serial process began in 1924 in response to 1911's being discovered (or recovered, such as in the case of stolen pistols) with serials which were either obliterated or so faded as to be largely unreadable. In response, the U.S. Ordnance Department assigned blocks of serials to U.S. arsenals to apply as replacements for the old serials. These replacement serials would further receive the prefix X to distinguish them from original factory serials. Initially these serials were limited to four digits and applied by Springfield Armory. Fast forwarding to the end of WW2, and the new serial blocks started off from the last factory 1911A1 serial. When this change occurred, blocks of serials were further assigned to multiple other arsenals such as Augusta Arsenal, Rock Island Arsenal, and Ogden Arsenal. Sometimes when applying these X serials, the US Property stamp was determined to be sufficiently unreadable as well, and would also be reapplied. In the case of this pistol, an additional US Property stamp was applied above the new serial which, per archival documentation from the U.S. Ordnance Department, was urgently requested and subsequently assigned as part of a block of 200 serials to Augusta Arsenal in May, 1953. Continuing to the rest of the pistol, it sports clean reparkerization typical of post-WW2/Korean War Augusta Arsenal rebuilds. Looking at the left side of the frame, two Augusta Arsenal rebuild marks are present, along with a faded US Property stamp as was standard until Colt moved it to the right side of the frame at the end of 1918. The slide is WW1-era Colt, while the barrel is a WW2 replacement High Standard, and grips are WW2 replacements as well. Lastly, also included in the listing is a nice condition WW2 General Shaver magazine. Overall in excellent condition, this is a remarkable oddity in U.S. ordnance history and will serve you well as a unique collector's piece! Asking $2550 plus shipping, more photos available on request. Thank you for looking!
Price: $2,550.00
Curio/Relic: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .45 ACP (.45 Auto)
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1911