The right side of the slide is marked with the iconic "MODEL OF 1911.
#COLT MODEL 1911 SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS#
The serial number is in the early "No.21" format and forward location on the right of the frame which were changed at serial numbers 45 respectively. Penfield's "WGP" monogram inspector's mark is also on the left of the frame in its early 90 degree clockwise rotated format, which was seen on only the first 100 Model 1911's produced. 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 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 pistol itself bears all the extremely early features one would expect to see on an example with a serial number this low. By 1918 Heinrich is listed as a captain and it appears likely his unit served with the American Expeditionary Force in Europe operating railway artillery during World War I. Heinrich was born in Hungary on 18 February 1882, and at the time of being issued this pistol, serial number 21, he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Coastal Artillery. The pistol was then subsequently shipped on 12 July 1912 to Lieutenant Arnold Heinrich of the U.S. This pistol was also included in the very first shipment of 50 pistols sent to Springfield Armory on 4 January 1912. 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. Contract Colt Model 1911 pistol, serial number 21, is 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.