Lot 2000

EXCELLENT! WWI 1918 COLT MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY "BLACK ARMY" .45 ACP SEMI-AUTO PISTOL

Previous image preload Next image preload

EXCELLENT! WWI 1918 COLT MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY "BLACK ARMY" .45 ACP SEMI-AUTO PISTOL

left to bid 21d 3h 37m left to bid (Bidding Extended) Lot is closed 21d 3h 37m left to bid Refresh page

Current Bid: $1,250

(14 Bids)

by Bradford's
June 28, 2026 9:00 AM MST
Timed Auction
15210 N 99th Ave
Sun City, AZ, US 85351

Excellent! WWI 1918 Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army "Black Army" .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol. This is a very fine example of a scarce Colt 1911 made in 1918. It has the uncommon and extremely sought after Black Army finish which is a darker matte blue. Correct intertwined "HP" Colt barrel. The gun's "black army" finish is better than almost any other pistol from this era you'll see - the majority of the examples encountered have noticeable flaking in the finish. Fitted with nice period-correct wood grips. Comes with a proper two-tone magazine. Markings: The right of the frame is marked “No 576434?, under “UNITED STATES PROPERTY”. The right side of the slide is marked “MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY”. The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR.20,1897. SEPT.9,1902 / DEC.19,1905. FEB.14,1911. AUG. 19, 1913”, with a rampant colt and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”. The rear of the slide is marked “H” (vertical, no serifs). The left side of the frame is marked behind the trigger with eagle’s head over “S5”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked "34". The top of the frame is marked “8” to the right and in front of the feed ramp, and “H” behind the disconnector. The top of the chamber is marked with an “H” and a “P”, the bottom in front of the link lug is marked “G”. The bottom of the slide is marked with a "G". Sights: The pistol is mounted with a “U”-notched rear sight dovetailed into the slide and a short rounded blade front sight fixed to the slide. Stock Configuration: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. The design was the end-result of a series of developments by famous gun designer John Browning, starting with the Model 1900. The advances made by Browning were revolutionary at the time, and were so successful that they are considered commonplace today. Browning not only developed first a pivoting and then a tilting barrel to allow for a locked system, he developed the concept of “the slide”, which is now synonymous with semi-automatic handguns. Serial Number: 576434 | Caliber / Gauge: .45 ACP | Working Order: Firearm has not been tested | Background Check: Required | Keywords: Firearms, Guns, Firearm; Ref: BD3344

  • Provenance: In May of 1918, to meet the demands of the US Army in the war to end all wars, Colt changed the way it finished the Model of 1911 pistol. The Army wanted production increased, and requested that Colt eliminate the final polishing process prior to bluing the M1911. As a result, the surface of the pistols would be left with a rougher appearance, unlike previous Colts. In addition, Colt began using a gas fired oven blued process. Between these two factors, the appearance of the M1911 changed from a lustrous blue to almost black. Collectors have since coined the term "Black Army" to denote the last of the M1911 pistols, with the finish phased in after serial number 312000. To be sure, Hartford was cutting corners to produce as many pistols as possible. Many of the small parts such as the slide stops and thumb safeties were outsourced or previously manufactured, and were still polished and blued in the previous manner. Over time, the weaker "Black Army" finish wore off many of the slides and frames while the small parts remained blued. After ninety years, the uneven appearance from different rates of wear often gives the impression that all original pistols were put together from scavenged parts. Because of the mix master appearance when weathered and a greater chance of wear on these wartime pistols, many collectors are still seeking the elusive Colt "Black Army" pistols with a high amount of finish like this pistol we have here.
  • Dimensions: 5" barrel
  • Circa: 1918
  • Notes: ***FFL Required For All Firearms Manufactured After 1898: Out-of-State Buyers Firearms must be shipped through our 3rd Party Shipper Westside Mail Center and ALL Firearms Manufactured After 1898 must be shipped to a valid holder of a Federal Firearms License. BEFORE PLACING BIDS ON FIREARMS, CHECK YOUR STATE AND COUNTY LAWS TO VERIFY THE FIREARM IS LEGAL IN YOUR STATE. It is the Bidders responsibility to know or verify the legality of a specific Firearm or Magazine prior to placing any bids. FIREARMS UNABLE TO BE SHIPPED TO YOUR STATE WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE AND SHIPPING COSTS IF APPLICABLE; Local Arizona Buyers MUST have a Valid ARIZONA ID with a Current Physical Address and MUST complete all necessary background and registration forms at Bradford's Auction Gallery Firearms Manufactured After 1898. ANY DENIED BACKGROUND CHECK WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE ****
  • Condition: This pistol is in excellent like new condition with little signs of wear commensurate with handling and very little use. Approx. 98% matte blued finish retained, there are a few light finish scratches to the top of the slide. The bore is bright and shiny with strong rifling.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

LOCAL PICK-UP INFORMATION:
Buyers can pick-up up their purchased lots locally at Bradford's Auction Gallery or have their items shipped. Local pick up is available upon payment of the invoice. There is no fee for local pickup however, storage fees may apply for items not picked up.

LOCATION: Bradford's Auction Gallery
HOURS: Monday - Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
ADDRESS: 15210 N 99th Ave Sun City, AZ 85351
CROSS STREET: (Located at the NW Corner of 99th Ave and Greenway Rd)

OUT OF TOWN SHIPPING INFORMATION:

JEWELRY & COINS:
Domestic Invoices that only contain jewelry or coins will be shipped in-house. Bradford's will ship jewelry and coins domestically via fedex and usps flat rate shipping. A minimum shipping charge of $25 will apply for any items shipped in-house. Any invoices that contain additional items would be turned over to a 3rd party shipper.

ARTWORK & OTHER ITEMS:
For out of town buyers, once we have received your payment your purchase can be be turned over to a 3rd party shipper. Bradford's will automatically release your lots to Westside Mail Center a local 3rd party shipper who specializes in shipping auction lots. Westside Mail Center will reach out to you to arrange packing, shipping and insurance. Please notify Bradford's immediately upon payment of your invoice if you prefer to ship with another 3rd party shipper other than Westside Mail Center.

They offer FedEx, DHL, UPS and USPS services for most parcels. For those larger items, Packing, Shipping, Crating & Freight services are available. For questions related to shipping please feel free to contact them directly for shipping questions or quotes.

Westside Mail Center
13794 W Waddell Rd Suite 203, Surprise, AZ 85379
Phone: 623-825-6016
Email: [email protected]
www.westsidemailcenter.com

SHIPPING TERMS
The winning bidder / buyer is solely responsible for the shipping. All fees and costs associated with shipping are separate from the hammer price (winning bid), buyer's premium and sales taxes. The winning bidder / buyer has the right to arrange their own shipping with a 3rd party shipper at their own expense if you prefer to use a shipper other than Westside Mail Center. All packing and shipping from any company besides Westside Mail Center must be arranged and coordinated by the winning bidder / buyer within 5 days from the date of the sale or an additional storage surcharge could apply. The cost of an item can affect the price of insurance, packaging materials and method of shipping however, shipping costs are based on size, weight, dimension, location, speed as well as other factors. Winning bidders / buyers are responsible for payment of auction invoices regardless of the cost of shipping as the winning bidder / buyer is solely responsible for the shipping and any costs associated. Sales are final and items cannot be returned to Bradford's or refunded due to shipping.

3RD PARTY SHIPPERS
Bradford's can assist the winning bidder / buyer by arranging shipping and insurance through a 3rd party shipper however, the buyer is responsible for obtaining quotes and scheduling pick-up. Bradford's Auction Gallery reserves the right to ship parcels via our own in-house shipping methods, based on actual weight or dimensional weight (whichever is greater).

Bradford's or the designated 3rd party shipper will ship to the address provided on the winning bidder / buyers invoice. It is the winning bidder / buyers responsibility to communicate with the shipper and provide any specific shipping requirements, address information or details that will ensure proper delivery. It is the buyers responsibility to verify and maintain update accurate shipping information including address within their bidding account.

The winning bidder is responsible for understanding the import fees and import laws of their respective province/state/country. It is also the bidder's responsibility to obtain any and all import documentation (import/export licenses, certificates or other documentation) prior to bidding.



LOCAL PICK UP - ARIZONA FIREARMS BUYERS
Arizona residents MUST pick-up in person at Bradford's Auction Gallery with a scheduled date of pick up. Details and information will be included on the winning bidders invoice. Any local Arizona Buyer of Post 1898 firearms MUST complete all necessary registration forms at Bradford's Auction Gallery. Local Buyers MUST have a Valid ARIZONA ID with Current Physical Address. If your Arizona ID does not reflect your current address you MUST provide us with a secondary form of ID that contains your correct address. Arizona Gun Dealers must have a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License in order to accept delivery of modern weapons. ANY DENIED BACKGROUND CHECK WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE.

OUT OF TOWN SHIPPING FIREARMS BUYERS:
Shipping for Out-of-State Buyers must be done through our 3rd Party Shipper Westside Mail Center. All firearms Post 1898 must be shipped to a valid holder of a Federal Firearms License on ALL Modern Weapons. The full cost of shipping and packing will be at the winning bidders / buyers expense. It is your responsibility to provide Westside Mail Center with the FFL dealer of your choice and they are responsible for sending the 3rd party shipper a copy of their FFL information. FIREARMS UNABLE TO BE SHIPPED TO YOUR STATE WILL RESULT IN A REFUND MINUS A 25% RESTOCKING FEE AND SHIPPING COSTS IF APPLICABLE.

Bradford's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $5
$100 $199 $10
$200 $999 $20
$1,000 $4,999 $50
$5,000 $9,999 $100
$10,000 + $200