Happy hunting. Disclaimer: Laws regarding firearm serial numbers and ownership vary by jurisdiction. Always comply with local, state, and federal laws. When in doubt, consult a qualified firearms appraiser or historian.

But if you own a Colt 1911—or are looking to buy one—you quickly realize that not all 1911s are created equal. A commercial model from 2020 is a very different beast from a World War I "Black Army" pistol or a 1943 WWII "Remington Rand" contract piece. So, how do you separate a safe queen from a relic of the Argonne Forest?

For nearly 150 years, Colt’s Manufacturing Company has been a titan of American firearms history. Among its legendary lineup, one pistol stands above the rest: the Model 1911 . Designed by John Moses Browning, this semi-automatic pistol served as the official sidearm of the U.S. Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985, and it remains one of the most collected and coveted firearms in the world.