Key Takeaways
- Colt served as licensor and Ohio Ordnance Works as manufacturer of the Colt Model 1918 Self-Loading Rifle. The rifle shipped with a Colt- and OOW-branded Certificate of Authenticity dated June 1, 2015.
- The rifles are identified by serial numbers in a “C1918-” series, Colt Hartford receiver markings with a rampant Colt logo, and a high-polish blue finish. Each was supplied in a fitted, Colt-marked case made in Italy, which Rock Island Auction Company’s catalog attributes to Negrini.
- The rifle’s closed-bolt semi-automatic design traces to U.S. Patent 5,614,691, issued in 1997 to inventor James M. Taylor and assigned to Robert I. Landies, which addresses the Browning Automatic Rifle specifically.
Ohio Ordnance Works, Inc. (OOW) of Chardon, Ohio, is best known to collectors for semi-automatic reproductions of the Browning Automatic Rifle. Its most visible industry collaboration is with Colt’s Manufacturing Company. Colt licensed OOW to manufacture a Colt-marked semi-automatic Model 1918 rifle, which Colt introduced at the 2015 SHOT Show [1]. The documentary record for this rifle consists mainly of patent filings, factory paperwork, and auction catalog records. Each participant’s role is set out below.
Roles in the Colt Model 1918 Program
Colt (licensor). Colt’s name, Hartford address, and rampant Colt logo appear on the rifle. Auction catalogs consistently describe the rifle as made by OOW under license from Colt [1][2][3].
Ohio Ordnance Works (manufacturer). OOW built the rifles. The documentation supplied with them combines both companies: a Colt- and OOW-branded, serial-matching Certificate of Authenticity dated June 1, 2015, and an OOW FM 23-15 SA manual for its M1918A3 rifle [4].
Italian case maker. Each rifle came in a fitted, Colt-marked leatherette case. Rock Island Auction Company’s catalog identifies the case as made by Negrini [3]. James D. Julia’s catalog describes the same case as specially commissioned and made in Italy by a maker of quality shotgun cases, with a combination lock and the Colt logo inside the lid [2].
Identification
Examples documented at auction carry serial numbers in a “C1918-” series, from C1918-00001 to at least C1918-00107 [2][3]. The receiver top is marked with the Colt company name, “HARTFORD, CT / SELF LOADING RIFLE / MODEL 1918,” the caliber (.30-06), the serial number, and a rampant Colt logo [4].
The finish is high-polish blue with niter-blued small parts, intended to resemble early Model 1918 production [3]. Other features include an early-style conical flash hider, an adjustable gas valve, “S” and “F” marked fire controls, M1917-pattern folding ladder rear sights, and a checkered walnut forend. The accessories are an extra magazine, an M1907-pattern leather sling, and a sealed cleaning kit [3]. The rifle operates as a closed-bolt semi-automatic [3].
Production was a limited serial run. Rock Island’s catalog states that 200 rifles were made [3]. Julia’s October 2016 catalog reports that Robert Landies said only 200 would ever be manufactured [2].
The OOW Mechanism Behind the Rifle
The Colt-licensed rifle grew out of OOW’s existing semi-automatic BAR. U.S. Patent 5,614,691, “Striking mechanism for semi-automatic operation of rifles and the like,” was filed on May 19, 1995, and issued on March 25, 1997 [5]. The inventor named on the patent is James M. Taylor, who assigned it to Robert I. Landies [5].
The patent addresses the Browning Automatic Rifle specifically. It describes three changes:
- a hammer-fired, closed-bolt striking mechanism that uses a secondary firing pin
- a trigger mechanism based on that of the M1 Carbine
- a receiver machined so that it will not accept the original select-fire components [5]
Among its prior-art references, the patent cites a Colt catalog and handbook covering Colt automatic machine rifles [5].
OOW’s own Model 1918A3 rifles carry this patent number on the receiver beneath the “OHIO ORDNANCE WORKS, INC. / CHARDON, OH” address [6]. Rock Island’s catalog dates the 1918A3’s introduction to 1996 [7].
Documented Sale
At James D. Julia’s October 2016 firearms auction, serial number C1918-00001 was offered as Lot 3008 with an estimate of $9,000 to $12,000. It sold for $11,500, a figure that includes the buyer’s premium [2].
Other Documented Collaborations
Velo3D (engineering services). On May 5, 2025, metal additive manufacturer Velo3D announced an agreement with OOW. Under it, Velo3D provides application engineering, additive design, and analysis services for OOW’s 3D Printed Military Weapons Development initiative [8]. OOW president Robert Landies III said the partnership would help OOW optimize its design processes for its military customers [9].
Ohio economic-development bodies (facility expansion). On September 26, 2023, JobsOhio announced that OOW would build a new 35,000-square-foot manufacturing building in Chardon. The announcement listed JobsOhio, the Ohio Department of Development, Team NEO, the City of Chardon, and the Geauga Growth Partnership as partners in the project [10].
Frequently Asked Questions
Ohio Ordnance Works of Chardon, Ohio, manufactured the rifle under license from Colt. The receiver carries Colt’s name, Hartford address, and rampant Colt logo.
It was introduced at the 2015 SHOT Show. Documented examples include a serial-matching Certificate of Authenticity dated June 1, 2015.
Rock Island Auction Company’s catalog states that 200 were made in a limited serial run. James D. Julia’s October 2016 catalog reports that Robert Landies said only 200 would ever be manufactured.
The original BAR fires from an open bolt, while the OOW rifle fires semi-automatically from a closed bolt using a hammer-fired striking mechanism. OOW’s design is covered by U.S. Patent 5,614,691, which also calls for a receiver that will not accept the original select-fire components.
In May 2025, Velo3D announced an agreement to provide application engineering, additive design, and analysis services for OOW’s 3D printed military weapons development initiative. In September 2023, JobsOhio announced OOW’s 35,000-square-foot Chardon expansion with the Ohio Department of Development, Team NEO, the City of Chardon, and the Geauga Growth Partnership as partners.
Sources
[1] Rock Island Auction Company. “Lot 707: Colt BAR Rifle 30-06 Springfield.” Rock Island Auction Company, April 13, 2018. Estimate $6,500 to $9,000.
[2] James D. Julia, Auctioneers. “Lot 3008: Fantastic Colt Model 1918 Self Loading Rifle (SLR) SN 1 of 200.” Firearms, October 2016. Estimate $9,000 to $12,000; price $11,500 including buyer’s premium.
[3] Rock Island Auction Company. “Lot 1567: Rare and Early Limited Production Ohio Ordnance Works/Colt Model 1918 BAR Semi-Automatic Rifle with Case and Accessories, Serial Number 00107.” Auction 4093 catalog, Book 2, n.d., p. 436. Estimate $10,000 to $16,000.
[4] Lock, Stock & Barrel Investments. “Colt Ohio Ordnance Works OOW Self Loading Rifle Model 1918 BAR .30-06 Sprg, Serial C1918-00045.” Lock, Stock & Barrel Investments, n.d.
[5] Taylor, James M. “Striking Mechanism for Semi-Automatic Operation of Rifles and the Like.” U.S. Patent 5,614,691, filed May 19, 1995, issued March 25, 1997.
[6] Lock, Stock & Barrel Investments. “Ohio Ordnance Works OOW 1918A3 .30-06 BAR Self Loading SLR Semi-Auto Rifle, Serial 1681.” Lock, Stock & Barrel Investments, n.d.
[7] Rock Island Auction Company. “Lot 671: Ohio Ordnance Works Model 1918A3 BAR Semi-Automatic Rifle with Case.” Auction 84 catalog, Book 1, n.d., p. 393. Estimate $5,000 to $7,000.
[8] Velo3D, Inc. “Velo3D Announces Agreement with Ohio Ordnance Works to Support 3D Printed Military Weapons Development Initiative as Part of Rapid Production Services.” Velo3D, Inc., May 5, 2025.
[9] 3D Printing Industry. “Velo3D and Ohio Ordnance Works Sign Agreement to Support 3D Printed Military Components.” 3D Printing Industry, n.d.
[10] JobsOhio. “Ohio Ordnance Works, Inc. to Expand in Chardon.” JobsOhio, September 26, 2023.
