This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 1911 pistol designed by John Browning and originally produced for the U.S. military. The 1911 is wildly popular today, with (at press time) 289 models under production by 25 manufacturers.
Many of these manufacturers offer centennial-edition 1911s to commemorate the 100th anniversary. The design of these pistols range widely, as do the prices. This article provides summary information for each anniversary model currently available, with a link to a page for each gun that features more extensive information and photos. I’ve listed the pistols according to price, from lowest to highest.
Note: If I’ve failed to include a model, please let me know via the Contact form at this link, or via the Comment form at the bottom of this article. And if you’d like a closer look at a gun, click on a photo to enlarge it.
With no further ado, here they are:
Auto-Ordnance
100th Anniversary 1911PKZ
MSRP: $658
Para
1911 100th Anniversary
MSRP: $1,079
Remington
1911 R1 Centennial
MSRP: $1,250
Browning
1911-22 Commemorative Set I
MSRP: $1,339
Remington
1911 R1 Centennial Limited Edition
MSRP: $2,250
Colt
100th Anniversary 1911
MSRP: $2,295 (model 01911 ANVII)
MSRP: $1,150 (model 01911ANVIII)
Para
14·45 Anniversary
MSRP: $2,399
Ed Brown
Executive Elite Centennial Edition
MSRP: $2,495
Nighthawk
Centennial 1911
MSRP: $2,895 (Standard Grade)
MSRP: n/a (High Grade)
Turnbull
1911
MSRP: $3,895
Les Baer
1911 Centennial
MSRP: $3,960
Wilson Combat
Contemporary Classic
MSRP: $3,995
STI
100th Anniversary Special Edition
MSRP: $4,154.02
Kimber
Centennial Edition
MSRP: $4,352
Browning
1911-22 Commemorative Set II
MSRP: $4,669
Cylinder & Slide
1911 Government Model 100th Anniversary
MSRP: $5,000
Ed Brown
Classic Custom Centennial Edition
MSRP: $6,995
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Jed Henson is an author, editor and publisher.
SIG SAUER has introduced a line of Traditional 1911s for the 100th anniversary year.
See pics here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=57629597602&aid=323323#!/photo.php?fbid=10150129035607603&set=a.10150129035477603.323323.57629597602&theater
Wilson Combat also has their own Centennial
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/p_100th.htm
Thanks guys! I overlooked that Wilson Combat centennial–I’ll add it now. And I’ll check out those SIGs.
Browning has one as well.
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=028B&cat_id=051&type_id=800&content=1911-commemorative-cased-set-firearms
Thanks Pancho! I wonder who’s building the .45 for Browning? Anybody have any info on that one?
Hi, all fine guns. Now Ruger is in the game I saw you rate, but I was just about to buy Kimbers Custom II all stainless TLE/RL II. What do you think? Older 80’s safety? Firing pin? Thanks and best regards, Louis
Para PXT 100th… Para DID have some issues with the bushings and extractors on SOME of their 1911’s… their customer service was superb… replacing these parts fast and free with EGW stuff… my 100th Anniversary PXT is as fine a shooting pistol as any Ed Brown or Les Baer.