This is an extremely early production U.S. contract Colt Model 1911 pistol, bearing serial number 15, one of the earliest we have ever had the pleasure of offering at here at Rock Island Auction Company, topped only by serial number 14 in our September 2021 Premier Auction. Only the first 51 of these iconic pistols were produced in the year for which they are named, making this example a "true" Model of 1911. The pistol is listed as "received" at Colt on May 1, 1911, according to page 524 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows. The pistol was also included in the very first shipment of 50 pistols, serial numbers 1-50, shipped to the Commanding Officer at Springfield Armory on January 4, 1912, as referenced on page 379 of "Colt .45 Service Pistols, Models of 1911 and 1911A1" (1991 publication) by Charles Clawson. This shipment would have been packed in a wooden crate containing all 50 pistols, and labeled with the serial numbers contained inside, including this example, serial number 15. The pistol clearly had a long and eventful service life, as it has been through an arsenal refurbishment sometime in the post-World War II era, as evidenced by the "AA" Augusta Arsenal stamp on the left of the frame. It is also accompanied by a DoD shipping box that has a label on the lid listing this pistol by its serial number "15" as shipped on July 13, 1988, from Anniston Army Depot of Alabama to individual Ronald W. Davis of Lawton, Oklahoma, as purchased through the NRA. It appears that Ronald W. Davis relocated to San Antonio, Texas, at some point, as there is a label inside of the box listing his name with an address there. 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 seen on pistols only below serial number 83. The left side of the frame has the large size "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking, which was switched to a smaller font at serial number 100. The serial number is in the early "No.15" format and forward location on the right of the frame. The right side of the slide is marked with the iconic "MODEL OF 1911. U.S. ARMY". The pistol shows late arsenal parkerized finish overall. It is fitted with a fixed blade front sight and later type notch rear sights, with a number of later arsenal updated components, later type checkered slide stop and thumb safety, wide checkered hammer, barrel bushing, short grip safety, smooth flat mainspring housing with a lanyard loop, improved slotted type magazine catch, a pair of checkered plastic grips with the left grip panel a later type marked "5564063" on the interior and the right grip panel a World War II era Keyes Fibre replacement, and a parkerized magazine with hand carved initials "RWD" on the bottom, presumably of Ronald W. Davis, the individual who later purchased this pistol. The only visible markings on the barrel are an "S" and what appears to be a "P" on the left of the barrel lug. Includes an extra later type magazine also with initials "RWD" on bottom. Provenance: U.S. Military; The Ronald W. Davis Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very fine as arsenal refurbished, retains 98% parkerized finish with some light wear and pitting visible beneath the finish, and defined serial "No.15" marking. Replacement left grip is also very fine, right grip is fine with numerous scattered nicks. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good, with clearly legible label, mild wear and some torn edges on the lid. This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the earliest U.S. Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistols we have ever cataloged, serial number 15. Do not miss this unique opportunity to own an iconic incredibly early production U.S. military 1911!