Lot 3267

Desirable Serial Number 158 U.S. Contract Colt Model 1911 Pistol

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Desirable Serial Number 158 U.S. Contract Colt Model 1911 Pistol

Estimate: $30,000 - $45,000

Starting Bid: $25,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Desirable and Exceptional First Year Production, Serial Number 158 U.S. Contract Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol Manufactured in 1912, this is a highly desirable, extremely early production U.S. military contract, Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol with the early slide markings, early niter blue finished small parts, and the rare and very desirable early small serial number markings. Many of these early Model 1911 pistols saw significant military use over many years leaving few surviving examples and even less in high condition like this one. This early pistol was manufactured and assembled in the first month of production. It is confirmed on p. 514 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows that this pistol was in a shipment to Springfield Armory on 3 February 1912 which contained 200 pistols. The pistol has the lustrous, high polish, Colt commercial blue finish with the niter blue finish on the thumb safety and slide stop. The high polish finish was replaced by the military "dull finish" blue at approximately serial number 2400 on April 24, 1912. The slide is marked with the early two-line, two-block Colt factory address and patent dates on the left and with "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY" on the right. The right side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard is stamped with the very early and highly desirable small serial number markings of "No. 158" which were changed to "N" with an underlined "o" at serial number 4501 and then moved between the grip and slide stop hole at serial number 7501. The left side stamped with the smaller "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" which had only just been adopted at serial number 104, and the circled "WGP" monogram of Ordnance Inspector Walter G. Penfield above the magazine release. The correct blued barrel is unmarked. It is fitted with blade front and rounded top notch rear sights, checkered slide stop and thumb safety, a long smooth trigger, wide checkered hammer, smooth flat mainspring housing with lanyard loop base, a correct first type two-tone magazine with pinned, exposed baseplate, lanyard loop base, and a pair of later production replacement diamond pattern checkered walnut grips and screws.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1911

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 45 ACP

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number158

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: The Gus Cargile Collection
  • Condition: Exceptionally fine, retains 70% plus of the original high polish blue finish and 75% plus of the bright original nitre blue on small parts with some mild handling and holster wear showing mostly a grey patina, some patches of light surface oxidation, and some light scratches including a semi-circular takedown mark. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. An exceptionally fine example of a very desirable first year production U.S. Colt Model 1911 pistol!

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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