Early Colt M1911 No.403

[Scott Gahimer]

Colt M1911 No.403



One of the first 500 M1911 pistols. Original and unaltered. Assembled at the Colt factory February 5, 1912. Shipped from Colt’s to Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory on February 15, 1912, as one of 200 pistols in the 4th shipment of M1911 pistols (s/n 301-500).


The first 2400 pistols were blued with a bright, glistening, mirror-like “oil finish”. Small parts, stock screws and magazine bases and followers were a brilliant reflective “fire-blue” color. This finish proved to be too brilliant and not durable to wear and scratches. On January 25, 1912 the Ordnance Office requested the finish be changed to reflect less light in combat, and that the shade of the blue finish resemble that of the barrel of the U.S. Rifle, Model of 1903. The new, dull “fine finish” was approved March 23, 1912. All pistols after No. 2400 had the new dull finish.

Early Features of Colt M1911 No.403

·Brilliant oil finish and fire blued small parts (s/n 1-2400)

·First type “No.” serial number prefix and early serif style serial number (s/n 1-4500)

·First position of serial number right side forward of the slide stop pin (s/n 1-7500)

·First type dimpled magazine catch lock with no screwdriver slot (s/n 1-3189)

·First type recoil spring closed both ends w/ un-punched plug (s/n 1-6500+/-)

·First type shallow head stock screws with shallow screwdriver slots (s/n 1-ca. 3000)

·First type exposed base magazine (s/n 1-4500)

·First type non-dimpled mainspring housing pin (s/n 1-6500+/-)

·First type dark finish, coarse polished barrel w/ serif H on the back of the hood extension (ca. s/n 400-6500)

·First type small parts, with hand checkering on some parts (s/n 1-ca.500)

These early M1911 pistols are among the rarest and most beautiful pistols ever produced. Of the 2400 produced, few are known to exist today or to have the condition of this original pistol.
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[kenhwind]

Very, very nice.

[CO1911Carry]

That is an astonishingly beautiful piece of equipment! It's wonderful that something that rare still exists in that condition. I'm blown away. Thank you for posting.

[doubs43]

Absolutely stunning! The quality of the workmanship boggles the mind. Thank you for posting it.

[Johnny Peppers]

The first 2400 pistols were blued with a bright, glistening, mirror-like “oil finish”. Small parts, stock screws and magazine bases and followers were a brilliant reflective “fire-blue” color. This finish proved to be too brilliant and not durable to wear and scratches. On January 25, 1912 the Ordnance Office requested the finish be changed to reflect less light in combat, and that the shade of the blue finish resemble that of the barrel of the U.S. Rifle, Model of 1903. The new, dull “fine finish” was approved March 23, 1912. All pistols after No. 2400 had the new dull finish.

The finish used on the barrels of the Model 1903 rifle at that time was rust blue (called browning at the time), which is slightly dull from the etching of the blueing process. Springfield Armory used the rust blue process to blue the Model 1911 pistols manufactured there.

[tombstone]

Wow! What an example of craftsmanship.

[Hunter]

That is a great example of an early Colt, if that thing could talk.

[d90king]

Oh my, that is one beautiful pistol! Where did you come across that beauty with out having to donate a body part?

[Scott Gahimer]

Thanks for the nice comments.

I think I bought this pistol, along with another rare M1911 back about 2001 from Scott Meadows. Both pistols are pictured in his book U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920.

When I buy pistols like this, I expect to walk away with a bit of a limp...but I know I'll soon get over it. I was simply happy he chose to sell the two I bought and keep others instead. We both walked away happy that day...and I am even happier with the pistols now.

Johnny brings up a good point about the color and sheen of finish the Ordnance Department requested to replace this one. Colt's did not rust blue; they oven blued their pistols. So while the next finish Colt's offered was stepped down substantially, it still had more brilliance than the Springfield Armory rust blue.

Colt M1911 s/n 16488 posted in another thread is an example of a December 1912 pistol with that "fine finish". I will post an M1911 from June of 1912 I also photographed today that is a rare transitional configuration...Colt M191 No.4415. The early Colt M1911's went through a few changes in about the first 7500 pistols. That's part of the reason they are so interesting and so difficult to find in all original condition.

[Baldy]

Thanks for sharing with us. It's a real old beauty for sure. Good luck with it.

[HoosierJohn]

That pistol is a real gem... It is a beauty to look at and a super piece of history. Fantastic!!

[TattooPaul]

Another real stunner! Just beautiful.

[jwenum]

Whoops.sorry,I slobbered all over my keyboard..Simply an outstanding pistol!!!!!!!!!

[OD*]

I see the wife is letting you claim this as your pistol, eh? ;)

I don't know how I missed this thread Scott, that pistol is amazing.

Folks, the pistol is even MORE fantastic in person!

[TattooPaul]

Folks, the pistol is even MORE fantastic in person!

I can just imagine! How cool to see such a significant piece of firearm history in person. Scott; with such an impressive collection of incredible 1911's, you should pulish a photo CD along the lines of Karl Karash's. ;) There is so much that is learned by studying images accompanied by knowledgeable commentary. I'd gladly pay good money for such a resource. I know you probably haven't the time and/or inclination but it is wishful thinking from a fan of your instructional posts. Keep 'em coming!

It is amazing to me that when Colt's started to produce quantities for military use that they even considered retaining the highly polished surfaces at the outset. I wonder how much time it added to each pistol just to get that glasslike finish. It makes for great eye candy, though!

[Rich-D]

I can just imagine! How cool to see such a significant piece of firearm history in person. Scott; with such an impressive collection of incredible 1911's, you should pulish a photo CD along the lines of Karl Karash's. ;) There is so much that is learned by studying images accompanied by knowledgeable commentary. I'd gladly pay good money for such a resource. I know you probably haven't the time and/or inclination but it is wishful thinking from a fan of your instructional posts. Keep 'em coming!


I totally agree on all points! I certainly would buy it!

Best of Luck!
Rich

[Scott Gahimer]

Thanks. That's an interesting idea. I probably have the time...I just don't manage it well. It might be a good project, however, as it would force me to do the work of photographing and documenting the pieces I have. That's the overwhelming part that would require some time management and work. I must admit, it is easier to just get a gun out and look at it than to produce a photographic and text presentation of it.

The information provided in the recent posts of early M1911 pistols is the same stuff I use when I display at shows. Most people will stop and look at the pistols, but the vast majority never read any of the information provided with them. That's the interesting part to me. Go figure...:confused:

[Scott Gahimer]

I see the wife is letting you claim this as your pistol, eh? ;)

I don't know how I missed this thread Scott, that pistol is amazing.

Folks, the pistol is even MORE fantastic in person!

She simply allows me the bragging rights now and then. With that comes the photo work and text. :)

[Rick McC.]

Scott:

Thanks so much!

Take care,

Rick