Lot 221

Pre-WWII 1939 U.S. Navy Shipped Colt M1911A1 Pistol with Letter

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Pre-WWII 1939 U.S. Navy Shipped Colt M1911A1 Pistol with Letter

Estimate: $4,500 - $6,500

Starting Bid: $4,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Very Scarce Pre-World War II 1939 Production U.S. Navy Shipped Colt Model 1911A1 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1939, the included factory letter confirms this pistol's configuration, including the 5 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and type of grips not listed, when included in a shipment of 1,088 pistols of the same type purchased by the U.S. Government and sent to the officer in charge of the U.S. Naval Supply Depot of the Naval Operating Base at Sewell's Point (Norfolk Navy Yard), Virginia, on December 18, 1939, with the letter noting that the shipment also contained 16 sets of spare parts and 2,176 magazines. Features fixed rounded blade front and squared notch rear sights, the two-line Colt patent dates and address in two block surrounding a Rampant Colt on the left of the slide, a "P" on top of the slide and "716/868" number under the firing pin stop, "COLT 45 AUTO" and "P" marked on the left of the barrel and lug, "P" and "H" on the left of the frame, the U.S. property marking along with the model designation and serial number on the right of the frame, "W" over a Colt triangle "VP" factory proof on the left of the trigger guard, and "69" on the right of the trigger guard. Fitted with a checkered milled trigger (with shadows of a once installed trigger shoe on the right), slide catch, wide spur hammer, thumb safety, and arched mainspring housing along with a pair of checkered walnut grips and a two-tone blued magazine marked "L" on the toe.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1911A1

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 45 ACP

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number716863

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Very fine, retaining 85% plus original blue finish with some smooth grey and brown patina, some minor patches of oxidation, a few minor specks of pitting, light wear and scrapes, along with clear markings and proofs. The left grip is very fine with some mild rub wear to the fine right panel and well-defined checkering. Screws are parkerized replacements. Mechanically excellent. Overall an attractive original example of a U.S. Navy shipped 1939 production Colt Model 1911A1 pistol with the factory letter!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000