M1911 Colt Pistol

The M1911 was one of the most famous, influential, and successful combat pistols ever produced. This was the standard issue sidearm in the U.S. Army from 1911-1985 making it a familiar sight in the American trenches of the First World War. All officers, and certain enlisted men, carried this pistol for close quarters encounters.

Developed with stopping power in mind, the pistol fires the rimless .45 ACP round. The pistol’s magazine can hold up to seven such rounds, and could be removed via a release button on the left side of the weapon’s handle. Over 600,000 Colt M1911s were manufactured during the war.

The M1911 in the picture to the right saw combat at the battle of Cantigny in 1918. The inscription on the pistol’s slide reads: “Lieut. Warren H. Hastings 16th Inf. A.E.F. From his dearest friend Joseph McAleenan. Carried in the Great War Dec. 5th 1917, to June 14th 1919. Cantigny May 30th 1918.”

From the Collections of
the First Division Museum at Cantigny