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Colt M1911 45ACP SN:142979 MFG:1917 NRA

  • Caliber: 45ACP
  • Era: Pre-War
  • Finish: Coarse Brushed Blue
  • Inspector: GHS
  • Serial Number: 142979
  • Shipment Type: Military
  • Shipped To: Springfield Armory
  • Year: 1917

This Colt 1911 was shipped April 5th, 1917 to the Commanding Officer at Springfield Armory.  It was part of a 2,000 gun shipment.

This Colt was inspector by Major Gilbert H. Stewart  (GHS).  Major Steward was the Inspector of Ordnance from September 30th 1914 - January 12th, 1918.

This particular pistol has a "N.R.A." stamp underneath the serial number on the right hand side.  These N.R.A pistols were sold by the government to life members of the NRA organization starting in 1912.  The pistols were shipped directly from Springfield Armory or, in the case of Colt pistols, from San Antonio arsenal.  None were sold during WWI but at it's conclusion the program was restarted after the war and continued until 1922.  Less than 200 SA pistols and less than 100 Colt pistols have been documented to date.

Also along with this pistol is a NRA Life Membership Certificate issued March of 1919 to an Earl P. Batton.