WW1 Colt Commercial Model 1911 Pistol (1914 Canadian Purchase)

Serial #C10254, .45 ACP, 5" barrel with an excellent, bright bore.  This is a 1914-made pistol that has 95-97% of the original blue finish remaining with some mild silvering at the muzzle, as well as at the rear of the slide next to the rounded rear sight.  There are some further small surface scratches and minor finish loss scattered about.  The pistol has a later, rounded spring guide installed, and has a Canadian "C (Broad Arrow)" property stamp on the left side of the frame, as well as Birmingham commercial proofs on the right side of the frame and slide.  The checkered double-diamond grips are in fine condition with only some minor surface blemishes and light wear, mostly around the butt, and mild flattening of the points.  The left grips is a Springfield Armory-made panel with 11 rows of checkering between the diamonds, while the right panel is a Remington-UMC-made panel with 13 rows.  The interior of the right panel is stamped: "MAJOR / VOLNEY STEPHENS / DCM / YPRES 1916."  We have done an extensive search and have not been able to find a listing for any Canadian officer with that name.  Further research might prove fruitful.  A single period two-tone magazine is included.  This pistol was one of 5000 commercial 1911's purchased between September and October of 1914 and was one of the last 1,000 guns of the order, shipped to H.W. Brown of Quebec, Canada (Canadian purchase agent at the time) on October 31, 1914.  A 2014-dated Colt factory letter accompanies the pistol and confirms the shipping date and destination.  This is a fine example of a Canadian-issued Model 1911, and would make a great addition to any collection.  FFL or C&R