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Title:	PISTOL, SEMI-AUTOMATIC -  U.S. PISTOL MODEL 1911A1 EXPERIMENTAL .45 SN# 2
Maker/Manufacturer:	BROWNING, JOHN M.
Date of Manufacture:	1933
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 1632
Measurements:	OL: 21CM 8 3/8" BL: 12.7CM 5"

Object Description:

U.S. PISTOL MODEL 1911 EXPERIMENTAL .45 SN# 2
Made by Colt, Hartford, Ct. - Experimental Model 1911 pistol, die cast from a high tensile strength corrosion resistant alloy called "Brastil," a registered trade mark of Doehler-Jarvis Corp. Pottstown, Pa. Two piece checkered wood grips. Lanyard loop in butt. Weapon is complete with 7-round copper magazine and in very good condition. With the pistol is an extra unfinished Brastil slide marked 1.

Markings:
Slide (left): PATENTED APR.20,1897. SEPT. 9, 1902/DEC. 19, 1905. FEB. 14, 1911. AUG. 19, 1913/Rampant Colt. COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD,
CT. U.S.A. (Right): MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY. Slide also numbered 2, and at end: D-1827-1.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 16 August 1932.

Army # 5193 - "This pistol was assembled on J.O. 1773-34 on 5/9/33. Made up of regular M1911 parts except having a receiver and slide made of Brastil metal. Pistol was tested by Ballistic Dept., and a report of test made to Chief of Ordnance by 3rd Ind. O.O. 474.6/7615, S.A. 474.6/694, 7/24/33. This note attached to pistol.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 16 August 1932. It was then loaned to Doehler Die Casting Co. and returned on 14 June 1934.

Exhibit label: "M1911A1 'BRASTIL' .45 caliber, 1932, experimental. In 1932 Springfield Armory experimented with die casting pistol frames and slides from a high tensile corrosion resistant bronze alloy called 'brastil.' The resulting 'golden gun' represents one of the first attempts to die cast handgun components. Despite the success of the test, the project did not move beyond the experimental stage."

Notes: Records indicate that Colt ordered 500 of these from Doehler on 5 February 1936 but only 2 were made.

"This pistol was assembled on J.O. 1173-34 on 5/9/33. Made up of regular M1911 pistol parts except having a receiver and slide made of Brastil metal. Pistol was tested by Ballistic Dept., and a report of test made to Chief of Ordnance by 3rd Ind. O.O. 474.6/7615, S.A. 474.6/694. 7/24/33. This note attached to pistol." - Shipping Ticket