VERY EARLY HIGH CONDITION SERIAL #40 COLT 1911, FROM THE EDWARD SCOTT MEADOWS COLLECTION

VERY EARLY HIGH CONDITION SERIAL #40 COLT 1911, FROM THE EDWARD SCOTT MEADOWS COLLECTION

24-2215
SN. 40
Cal. 45ACP

Fabulous-looking Colt 1911 military, one of the first 83 pistols to have BOTH the large-letter Colt address and patent dates AND the large size “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” marking on the left side of the frame, the smaller format appearing soon after serial number 113, beginning in January 1912. This pistol has all the earliest features including the short hammer, rounded rear sight, early style safety lever, earliest magazine catch lock, high polish peacock blue small parts, and early 1st Type magazine with pinned exposed base lanyard loop floorplate. Left side of slide with large character two-line address reflecting patent dates of 1897 and 1911 followed by the Colt manufacturing address in Hartford. Behind the serrations is the encircled rampant colt. “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” in LARGE LETTERS is on the left side of the frame along with the rondel containing the intertwined WGP (Walter G. Penfield) inspector marking. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY” with “No. 40”, on the right side of the frame. Fitted with large diamond, checkered walnut grips and fully blued magazine with pinned lanyard loop floorplate. As was true for the first 100 1911s, disassembly shows NO inspection marks on the slide above the firing pin retainer, no markings on the barrel, and no markings around the disconnector.

UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Paper ordnance tag reading “Office of Chief Ordnance, War Dept, April 12, 1912”.

STATUS: CURIO