1790

First Year Production Colt .45 Government Model Automatic Pistol with Pearl Grips

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 9,500.00 USD
First Year Production Colt .45 Government Model Automatic Pistol with Pearl Grips
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Estimate: $6500 - 9500
Colt Government Model Automatic Pistol manufactured in September 1912 (records show that Government Model serial number C1159 and C1196 were shipped from Colt on October 15, 1912 and October 2, 1912, respectively). The pistol has the high polish commercial blue finish with fire blue trigger, hammer, slide lock, safety lock and rear sight that was applied to Colt Government Model pistols until mid-1913 and is fitted with pearl grips. The slide has the oval tapered front sight and round top rear sight used on early production Government Model pistols. The frame has the Type III magazine catch lock installed about serial number C380. The pistol has the correct short hammer with sharp rear edge first style military slide stop, safety lock with thin thumbpiece and recoil plug with inward punched lip. The barrel is blue and the top of the chamber has a rough milled finish and appears to have been blue. A downward facing "C" is stamped on the rearmost chamber extension and on the back of the lug bracket. The pistol is fitted with the standard two-tone lanyard loop magazine adopted in mid-1913 at serial number C3500. The right side of the frame is roll-stamped "GOVERNMENT MODEL" ahead of the trigger guard. The serial number "C1191" is stamped on the left side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard. The top of the frame is stamped with "O" and "4" inspection marks in front of the disconnector hole and a "S" behind it. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBER 45" in two lines below the ejection port. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with Colt's 1897, 1902, 1905 and 1911 patent dates in two unequal lines followed by the Colt Hartford address in a two-line block. The circled Rampant Colt is roll stamped behind the grip serrations on the left side of the slide.
BBL: 5 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 45 ACP
Finish: blue
Grips: mother of pearl
Serial Number: C1191
Condition: Very fine as partially refinished. The pistol retains more than 90% of the commercial and fire blue finish and shows limited handling wear. The pistol was professionally enhanced and has scattered light pitting under the blue on the left side of the slide. There is some surface discoloration on the right side of the slide below the front sight and some very light pitting behind the ejection port. The overall appearance of the high polish blue finish on the frame and slide and the fire blue small parts remains very good. The grip screws are later thick replacements with a dull blue finish.The barrel chamber has most of the dull blue finish. All of the markings on the slide and frame are crisp. The grips are very good with minor chips next to the upper grip screws. This is an attrative example of a scarce, 100 year old, first year production Colt .45 Government Model Automatic pistol.