Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present these amazing semi-automatic pistols today for a penny-start auction, these are the Colt 1911 “WWI Meuse Argonne Offensive & 2nd Battle of the Marne Commemoratives”!
The owner states that both examples remain New Old Stock, and we see no evidence to indicate otherwise.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Example 1:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1911 “WWI Meuse Argonne Offensive Commemorative”
Serial: 1536-MA
Date of Manufacture: 1967
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Ramp Front with Fixed Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Original Factory Smooth Walnut Grips with Inlaid Medallions
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the slide is engraved with a gold-filled battle scene. The right side of the slide is engraved with the gold-filled banners that read “1917 / World War I Commemorative / 1967”.
Model: 1911 “WWI Meuse Argonne Offensive Commemorative”
Serial: 1536-MA
Date of Manufacture: 1967
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Ramp Front with Fixed Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Original Factory Smooth Walnut Grips with Inlaid Medallions
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the slide is engraved with a gold-filled battle scene. The right side of the slide is engraved with the gold-filled banners that read “1917 / World War I Commemorative / 1967”.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Example 2:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: 1911 “WWI 2nd Battle of the Marne Commemorative”
Serial: 1536-M2
Date of Manufacture: 1967
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Ramp Front with Fixed Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Original Factory Custom Wood Grips with Inlaid Medallions
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the slide is engraved with a gold-filled battle scene. The right side of the slide is engraved with the gold-filled banners that read “1917 / World War I Commemorative / 1967”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Example 1: This Colt 1911 pistol commemorates the Meuse Argonne Offensive. American forces in France, having distinguished themselves in battle and growing rapidly in numbers during the summer of 1918, were ready in September to launch a massive offensive against German forces on the Western Front. Final plans were formulated by General Foch on September 3. A combined American army of fourteen divisions and supporting brigades was to attack northward between the Meuse River and the Argonne Forest along the Paris-Metz highway. The goal was to cut German rail supply lines to the northwest (British) and western (French) sectors, trapping German armies and crippling their transportation. The Americans were assigned the crucial task of striking Germany’s vital rail system, which linked its eastern and western armies. The Germans recognized the strategic importance of the Meuse-Argonne area and built extensive fortifications, including multiple lines of trenches, barbed wire, and cement emplacements, supported by artillery and machine guns. Natural terrain, like the heights east of the Meuse and the broken hills of the Argonne Forest, further strengthened their defense, with Montfaucon serving as a key observation and artillery point. The attack, initially planned for September 12, began on September 25.
Model: 1911 “WWI 2nd Battle of the Marne Commemorative”
Serial: 1536-M2
Date of Manufacture: 1967
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Ramp Front with Fixed Square Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Original Factory Custom Wood Grips with Inlaid Medallions
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the slide is engraved with a gold-filled battle scene. The right side of the slide is engraved with the gold-filled banners that read “1917 / World War I Commemorative / 1967”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Example 1: This Colt 1911 pistol commemorates the Meuse Argonne Offensive. American forces in France, having distinguished themselves in battle and growing rapidly in numbers during the summer of 1918, were ready in September to launch a massive offensive against German forces on the Western Front. Final plans were formulated by General Foch on September 3. A combined American army of fourteen divisions and supporting brigades was to attack northward between the Meuse River and the Argonne Forest along the Paris-Metz highway. The goal was to cut German rail supply lines to the northwest (British) and western (French) sectors, trapping German armies and crippling their transportation. The Americans were assigned the crucial task of striking Germany’s vital rail system, which linked its eastern and western armies. The Germans recognized the strategic importance of the Meuse-Argonne area and built extensive fortifications, including multiple lines of trenches, barbed wire, and cement emplacements, supported by artillery and machine guns. Natural terrain, like the heights east of the Meuse and the broken hills of the Argonne Forest, further strengthened their defense, with Montfaucon serving as a key observation and artillery point. The attack, initially planned for September 12, began on September 25.
The First Army’s front extended from Forges northwest of Verdun to the Argonne Forest, anchored by the 77th Division on the left and the 33rd Division on the right. The plan called for a ten-mile advance to break through German defenses, followed by a push through the Argonne, with the capture of Montfaucon as the first objective. The First Army, under General Hunter Liggett, consisted of I Corps (77th, 28th, 35th Divisions), V Corps (91st, 37th, 79th), and III Corps (4th, 80th, 33rd). Artillery preparation began at 2:30 a.m. on September 26 with 2,700 guns. Despite obstacles like wire, shell craters, and ravines, progress was steady. By evening, the first German strongpoints fell, and Montfaucon was captured after fierce hand-to-hand combat on September 27. Subsequent advances were slower due to reinforced German defenses, and by September 29, positions were reorganized for defense, with preparations to resume on October 4. The October 4 attack aimed to secure the high ground in the Argonne Forest. American forces faced heavy resistance but steadily advanced, causing the Germans to begin withdrawing. By October 12, the First Army paused before resuming the offensive on October 14, with I Corps (77th, 82nd), V Corps (42nd, 32nd), and III Corps (5th, 3rd, 4th).
Continuous attacks from October 15–21 led General Pershing to plan a final assault for October 28, later postponed to November 1 at French request. On November 1, after a massive two-hour artillery bombardment, the First Army advanced decisively. V Corps crushed central resistance, III Corps advanced to the Meuse River, and I Corps gained ground against the Hindenburg Line. This deep penetration forced the Germans to order a full withdrawal from the west bank of the Meuse, triggering a general retreat along the Western Front. By November 7, the American Army dominated the German rail complex, effectively ensuring the war’s end.
Example 2: This Colt 1911 pistol commemorates the Second Battle of the Marne, a pivotal military engagement during World War I that began on July 15, 1918. The battle marked the final major German offensive of the war and is considered the turning point in the conflict. The German forces launched their attack with a heavy artillery bombardment, targeting what they believed to be the front-line positions of the Allied forces. However, many of these positions were actually deceptive—false trenches manned by small numbers of soldiers or even just dummies, designed to mislead the enemy. The Germans, unaware of the ruse, assumed that the Allied defenses were weakening and pressed forward. As a result, they advanced into an exposed area where the real Allied positions lay, largely untouched by the initial bombardment. This miscalculation allowed the Allies to launch a devastating counteroffensive, halting the German advance and turning the tide of the war. By July 18, 1918, the Allies, now reinforced by American forces, launched their own counteroffensive near the town of Château-Thierry, just to the west of the Marne River. This engagement, which was part of a broader Allied response, was a critical step in the push that would ultimately lead to the end of the war. The successful counteroffensive shattered the German assault and marked the beginning of the Allied push toward victory.
The Second Battle of the Marne was not only a turning point in military strategy but also in the perception of the United States as a modern military power. The American forces, along with their French and British allies, demonstrated their effectiveness and resolve, playing a key role in the eventual defeat of Germany. The Colt 1911, which had become the standard sidearm of the American military in 1911, was widely used by U.S. soldiers during this period and would go on to become a symbol of American military strength.
Condition/Contents:
The owner states that both examples remain New Old Stock, and we see no evidence to indicate otherwise. Both examples will ship with their original presentation cases and one magazine each!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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