Lot 117

Two-Digit Serial Number 42 U.S. Colt Model 1911 Pistol

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Two-Digit Serial Number 42 U.S. Colt Model 1911 Pistol

Estimate: $75,000 - $130,000

Starting Bid: $65,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Extremely Rare and Iconic, Incredibly Early Production Two-Digit Serial Number 42, Documented First U.S. Shipment Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1911, the first year of production, this is a historic and highly desirable example of the U.S. military's most iconic and longest serving standard issue sidearm: the Colt Model 1911 pistol. These pistols were designed by the legendary John Moses Browning, who is known as the mind behind some of the most iconic American firearms of the late 19th and early 20th century, with many of his designs having earned a place among a select few firearms that have truly defined this country. Like many of Browning's designs, the Model 1911 can be defined by rugged simplicity, giving it an unwavering dependability as a sidearm that is one of the most highly revered traits among Americans to this day in all aspects of life. Due to the nature of their service, few of these early production pistols remain available to today's collectors, making examples like serial number 42 from the start of the incredible story of the Model 1911 very scarce. Pistols such as this one are more than just another piece in a collection; they are a tangible piece of the tenacity of the American fighting man and of the fire that burns within the spirit of this country. Having beat out stiff competition in the U.S. military trials of 1910 and early 1911 against notables such as DWM's Luger and Savage's Model 1907, Colt's Model 1911 was the first automatic pistol adopted by the U.S. military to see widespread issue and the first to truly replace revolvers as a sidearm. The 1911 can be seen as a culmination of Browning's design work which begun with the Model 1900 and was finally perfected to the point of being the American standard issue sidearm. Upon its introduction, the Model 1911 quickly received its baptism by fire during the Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa in 1916 and then in the mud and trenches of the Western Front during World War I. Having proven their worth, the 1911 was slightly improved into the Model 1911A1, serving again when the world descended into global conflict in the 1940s, adding further chapters to its legacy on both the tropical islands of the Pacific and between the hedgerows of Normandy and in the dark forests of Germany. In the early 1950s, the dependable Colt again answered America's call to help stop the spread of the scourge of communism in the snow-capped mountains of Korea and again in the jungles and dark tunnels of Vietnam, serving reliably into the mid-1970s. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, under political pressure from Congress to adopt a NATO-standard 9mm Parabellum sidearm, the Model 1911, by then a grizzled veteran, was nearing the end of its standard service life. In 1985, with the U.S. military's adoption of the Beretta M9, the 74 year standard issue service life of Browning's legendary Model 1911 came to an end. It was not the end of the road for the pistol, however, as it continued on in various configurations and minor roles well into the Global War on Terror and to this day. Due in large part to its dedicated service in the hands of America's fighting men, the Browning designed Model 1911 saw significant popularity on the commercial market very early on, marketed by Colt as their "Government Model". Along with its popularity among civilians, the "Colt .45" served extensively and faithfully with law enforcement as well as with a multitude of America's allies around the globe, further adding to its legacy. These pistols, due to their exemplary record over a very long service life in a variety of different roles, have earned their place in this country's history and as true pieces of Americana. Many variations of the Model 1911 remain popular and in service to this day, standing on the shoulders of giants such as this very early production example. It is easy to feel the weight of where they have been and what they have done any time one wraps their hand around the unmistakable grip frame of the Model 1911 and its descendants. To this day, the Winchester lever action, Colt's Single Action Army revolver, and the Colt Model 1911 pistol remain three of the most universally recognizable firearms in the world, and they have truly become symbols of the innovation, determination, and fighting spirit of the American people. Assembled in late 1911, this is a fine example of an extremely early production U.S. contract Colt Model 1911 pistol. The included factory letter lists it in .45 caliber with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish, and grips not listed when sold to the U.S. government and shipped to Springfield Armory on 4 January 1912 as part of a shipment containing 50 guns of this type. This shipment was the very first shipment from Colt to Springfield Armory in fulfillment of the U.S. contract. The pistol itself bears all the extremely early features one would expect to see on an example with a serial number this low. The left side of the slide has the two-line, two-block patent dates and address, with the address in a slightly larger font as normally only seen on pistols below serial number 83 according to Edward Meadows in "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920". The Rampant Colt marking is on the left rear of the slide behind the serrations. The left side of the frame has the large size "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking, which was switched to a smaller font around serial number 113. Walter G. Penfield's "WGP" monogram inspector's mark is also on the left of the frame in its early 90 degree clockwise rotated format, which was seen on only the first 100 Model 1911s produced. The serial number is in the early "No.42" format and forward location on the right of the frame which were changed at serial numbers 4501 and 7501 respectively. The right side of the slide is marked with the iconic "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY". The pistol shows the early lustrous, high polish, mirror-like blue finish and fiery nitre blue small parts. The early production fully blued barrel is unmarked. It is fitted with fixed blade and round top notch rear sights, the early hand-checkered slide stop and thumb safety which were only seen on the first 150 pistols, the "dimpled" magazine catch which was seen on pistols up to serial number 3189, wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, smooth flat mainspring housing with a lanyard loop, a pair of double-diamond pattern checkered walnut grips, and a slightly later pattern, two-tone, replacement magazine with a lanyard loop base. Includes the 19 October 1953 newspaper it was wrapped in!

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: 1911

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 45 ACP

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial Number42

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Fine as a historic two-digit serial number example of the iconic Colt Model 1911 pistol, retaining 60% of the bright, original, high polish blue finish and 75% of the bright original nitre blue on small parts with the balance mostly a grey patina and some scattered patches of light pitting. The grips are also fine showing moderate handling wear, a few scattered minor dings and scratches, and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically functions. This is a fresh to the collectors market example that was previously unknown to the writer. It is very rare that these historic first U.S. shipment Colt Model 1911 pistols are ever available to collectors, let alone in fine original condition like this! Do not miss your opportunity to acquire this iconic piece of American history!

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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