In late 2003, the Colt Custom Shop commenced limited production of a replica M1911 pistol like those made for the US Military during the Great War.
The end result is a striking and attractive Service Pistol that very closely replicates the originals.
From the location and type of markings Colt chose to use - production would be around mid-1918.
The 'H' inspection stamp of Frank L. Hosmer is present on the rear of the slide as well as on the chamber hood and on the frame in front of the disconnector hole.
On top of the frame there is also a 'G', a 'T', and an '8' - all replicating original assembly marks.
The Ordnance acceptance stamp of Major John M. Gibert is perfectly replicated on the left side of the frame.
Even the slight chamfers applied to the front edges of the slide are present.
The 'Carbonia' brush-blued finish is really beautiful. 'Carbonia' blue is applied with the parts and chemicals heated inside a gas furnace. The result is a gorgeous deep-blue finish on the carefully brush-polished metal surfaces.
Colt had to farm this out to a professional restoration shop in order to get the 'Carbonia' Blue finish, and it was worth the trouble. (Paul Lippold - Ron's Guns)
Fit and finish of all the parts is excellent, and mine has an excellent 4.5LB trigger - out of the box.
The sights are identical to the originals, with a front blade in a half-moon shape, properly tapered.
The rear sight has the proper U-notch profile as well.
The barrel has the correct feed ramp profile and H marking on the hood as mentioned previously. It is also marked with an 'H' on top as well as a P (proof mark), so it resembles a correct 'P H' barrel.
However, the barrel is also marked 'Colt 45 Auto' just above the lower lip of the ejection port. (BATF rules require that the caliber be visibly marked on the barrel of new-production firearms, so Colt tried to make the marking as discreet as possible.)
The slide stop has correct checkering on the top surface and a milled 'step' below the thumbpiece.
The thumb safety lock and grip safety look 'right' as well.
The safety lock is checkered and has the tiny thumb shelf of the originals.
The magazine catch is also checkered.
The hammer is the proper long wide-spur type with checkering. The trigger is of the correct long, smooth type, using a stamped steel bow brazed to a steel trigger pad.
The grips are checkered black walnut panels, with the familiar large diamond around each screw hole. Colt has used more than one vendor for the grips, so the color and appearance will vary with each example. On my example the grips have a beautiful tone, although the number of rows of checkering and overall shape of the grips don't perfectly match those of the original guns.
(I replaced mine - as they came in a really pretty 'Golden' color - with a darker pair of American Black Walnut that more closely replicated my originals.)
The markings are as historically accurate as possible. The left side of the slide has the original patent dates through 1913 stamped in Gothic characters, and the 'Rampant Colt' symbol is stamped at the left rear of the slide behind the cocking serrations. The 'UNITED STATES PROPERTY' rollmark is in its proper location on the left side of the frame.
The circular 'JMG' acceptance stamp placed appropriately and is crisp. On the right side of the slide is the marking 'MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY', which is in keeping with the rollmark of the originals.
As to the serial number - on originals, they were marked with 'No.' (with the 'o' underlined) and then the serial number just behind the slide stop pin.
These also have the 'No.' - but the serial number is xxxxWMK (with the 'X' designating the serial number, and 'WMK' being for Colt's CEO General William M. Keyes (Ret'd.).
Included with each pistol are two full-blued 7-round magazines, and they 'should' be half-toned, but this is an easy fix.
(Originals were first blued, then dipped part-way in a chemical solution to harden the feed lips and hole for the magazine catch. The process dissolved the bluing, leaving the top halves of the magazines in the white, and while there are those who think that the magazine should also have a lanyard loop - but by 1918 - they were discontinued).
There's a reproduction disassembly tool - basically an L-shaped flat screwdriver with a pin punch at the other end.
This 'should' be a high-polish Carbonia Blue - but looks more like a 'Sandblast-Blue'
Also included is a reprint of an original 1914 US Army instruction manual.
Original, tan M1916 Holsters are available - as are a number of reproductions, should you be looking at replicating a Mexican Punitive Expedition Trooper.
Colt made this one 'right', and mine shoots lemon-sized groups at 50 Yards, one-handed - but only on bright days...
Vaya,
Scouts Out!