Colt Model 1911 Black Army

NOTE: this is an example of a previous customer restoration, and therefore the firearm is not for sale. Please browse the showroom for our current selection of restored, pre-owned and refinished firearms that are for sale, as well as other collections. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to be among the first to learn about new additions to our website.

Restoring a Piece of American Military History: A 1918 Colt Model 1911

Some firearms carry a history so profound that simply holding them evokes the weight of the past. The Colt Model 1911 is one such firearm. Designed by John Moses Browning and adopted by the U.S. Military in 1911, it saw extensive service through both World Wars and beyond. For our featured restoration project of April 2025, we had the honor of restoring a true veteran of World War I: a Colt Model 1911 manufactured in 1918.

This feature goes out just days after the anniversary of the Colt 1911’s official adoption by the U.S. Army on March 29, 1911—marking 114 years since this iconic sidearm first entered military service. It’s a fitting time to celebrate the history and enduring legacy of this legendary pistol.

The Legacy of the Black Army Finish

By the time this particular Model 1911 was produced, the United States was in the thick of World War I. Demand for sidearms skyrocketed as American troops were sent overseas, and Colt, along with other contractors like Remington-UMC, was tasked with producing 1911 pistols at an unprecedented rate. This rush to meet wartime needs led to a significant change in finish quality. Earlier 1911s were known for their beautifully polished charcoal blue finish, a hallmark of precision craftsmanship. However, as the war raged on, production shortcuts were necessary to keep up with demand.

Enter the so-called “black army” finish. This was a dark, almost matte blue-black finish, applied with less labor-intensive polishing. The finish resulted from a change in heat treatment processes and an effort to streamline production. While effective, the black army finish was notably less durable than the deep, lustrous bluing of earlier models. Many of these pistols would see heavy use in the field, and their finish often faded to an uneven patina over time.

For this restoration, we remained true to the era and painstakingly reapplied the correct black army finish, ensuring that this 1911 appeared just as it did when it left the factory in 1918—ready for duty, ready for history.

Returning to Original Form: The Mainspring Housing Correction

One of the more notable changes we addressed in this restoration was reversing a later modification: the replacement of the original flat mainspring housing with the arched design seen on M1911A1 models.

As property of the United States Government, many surviving World War I-era Model 1911s were later sent back to military armories for refurbishment and updates required to keep them in service. It is likely that this particular 1911 underwent such an arsenal refurbishment, during which its original flat mainspring housing was replaced with the arched design introduced in 1924 with the transition to the M1911A1.

The arched mainspring housing was one of several refinements made to the 1911 platform, along with a shorter trigger, relief cuts behind the trigger guard, and improved sights. These changes aimed to enhance ergonomics, with the arched housing specifically designed to correct a tendency among some shooters to shoot low with the original flat housing. You can read more about these inter-war changes to the Model 1911 here.

However, since our goal was to return this 1911 to its original 1918 configuration, we carefully removed the later arched housing and fitted a period-correct flat mainspring housing. This simple yet crucial detail ensures that the pistol now accurately reflects its World War I heritage.

A Restoration with Reverence

Restoring a military-issued Colt Model 1911 is more than just a technical exercise—it’s a tribute to the soldiers who carried them, to the history they lived, and to the sacrifices they made. Pieces like these accompanied American doughboys into the trenches of the Western Front, possibly seeing service in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive or beyond. When we handle such restorations, we do so with the utmost reverence, knowing that we’re preserving not just a firearm, but a chapter of American military history.

For collectors, enthusiasts, and historians alike, the Colt Model 1911 is an enduring symbol of American ingenuity and resilience. We are honored to have restored this remarkable example and to share its story with those who appreciate its place in history.