Springfield Armory Museum - Collection Record

U.S. PISTOL MODEL 1911 "SPECIAL ARMY MODEL OF 1911" .45 SN# 5
Manufactured by Colt, Hartford, Ct. in 1911 - The first 9 "Special Army Model of 1911" pistols were essentially tool room models submitted by Colt to Army Ordnance. Identical to M1911 except for markings. Blued finish, two-piece checkered wood grips. Lanyard loop in butt. Complete with 7-round detachable box magazine. Also known as "Special Army Model of 1911." Production models started over again at serial no. 1, but with the number preceded by "No."

Markings:
Slide: PATENTED/APR. 20, 1897, SEP. 9, 1902, DEC. 19, 1905/COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. Rampant Colt in circle. Right side: AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBRE 45 RIMLESS SMOKELESS.
Frame: 5.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 3 April 1933. At that time weapon was appraised at $23.50.

Exhibit label: "COLT SPECIAL ARMY M1911 .45 caliber 1911 9 made. In the trials of 1910, the Colt entry, based on a Browning design, was favored over the Savage. Based on the results of the trials, Colt produced nine prototype automatics, of which this is No. 5, and resubmitted them in 1911. This was the pistol selected by the government as its official sidearm."

ANNUAL REPORTS:
AR, 1911 - 1JAN-30JUN - "The Colt's semi-automatic pistol, cal..45, the Savage semi-automatic pistol, cal..45, and the Colt's service revolver, cal. .45, were tested for comparative efficiency, durability, etc., and later the tests of the two automatic pistols repeated, resulting finally in the selection of the Colt's pistol for service."

Notes: "Pistol number 5 was the pistol used during the March 15th testing. It was sold to Captain Leo F. Foster on May 19, 1911 and is presently in the Springfield Armory Museum." - Edward Scott Meadows

In early 1911, Colt was making 15 new pistols which were labeled the M1911 Special Army. By March they had probably built and tested six of the M1911 Special Armys and had picked number 5 as the most reliable of the lot.
The results of the tests of March were conclusive. The Colt Automatic functioned without a stoppage of any kind during the firing of 6,000 full-power loaded. This time nothing had been left to chance, and the M1911 Special Army, serial number 5, had performed like no other sidearm tested by the Ordnance Department before or since.

Following completion of the endurance test, the Board concluded: "Of the two pistols (Colt & Savage) the Board is of the opinion that the Colt is superior, because it is the more reliable, the more enduring, the more easily disassembled, when there are broken parts to be replaced, and the more accurate....
The Colt pistol embodies all the features considered essential, desirable, and preferable by the Board,,,,
The Board therefore recommends that the Colt Caliber .45 Automatic Pistol of the design submitted to the Board for test be adopted for use by foot and mounted troops in the military service in consequence of its marked superiority to the present service revolvers, and to any other known pistol, of its extreme reliability and endurance and of it fulfillment of all essential requirements."
On 28 March 1911, the Chief of Ordnance added his endorsement: "...This office is to the opinion that the Colt automatic pistol, caliber .45, of the design tested at the Springfield Armory, Mass., on March 15, 1911, is fully reliable and accurate, and is superior to any other automatic pistol or revolver of the same caliber known to this Department.
In view of the facts set forth herein, the recommendation of the Board is approved, and it is proposed to adopt the Colt automatic pistol, caliber .45, of the design referred to, for use in the military service of the United States."

See, Clawson, COLT .45 SERVICE PISTOLS, pg. 62; Meadows, U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS 1894-1920, pg. 110.

References:
Clawson, Charles. W. COLT .45 SERVICE PISTOLS. Charles W. Clawson. Ft. Wayne, In. 1993.
Ezell, Edward. HANDGUNS OF THE WORLD. Stackpole Books. Harrisburg, Pa. 1981.
Meadows, Edward Scott. U.S. MILITARY AUTOMATIC PISTOLS 1894-1920. Richard E

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