Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1963 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1950
LSB#: 210514MW60
Make: Colt
Model: Government Model, Commercial 1911
Serial Number: 299903-C
Year of Manufacture: 1963 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Detachable Magazine Fed Pistol
Markings: The left of the slide is marked “GOVERNMENT / *MODEL*”, “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CALIBER .45” and with a rampant Colt logo. The right of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”. The right of the frame is marked with the serial number. The left of the trigger guard has “B” and a “VP” in triangle, the right has “0”. The barrel is marked “COLT .45 AUTO”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade with a serrated rear face staked to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The installed grips are two-piece checkered walnut with gold colored Colt medallions. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as not original to the gun.
Also included are what we believe are the original grips. These grips are two-piece checkered brown “Coltwood” plastic panels with rampant colts in circles. The grips do not show the warping or stretched screw-holes which are common with Coltwood grips due to shrinkage, but have shrunk. When placed over the screw holes, they are noticeably too short to install on the grip screw bushings. Otherwise, the grips show only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition and would rate Excellent but for the shrinkage.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The slide flats have some scattered minor scuffs and scratches, most notable at the left-front. The finish is thinning at some corners. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The slide has barely perceptible play to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 7-round magazine. The magazine has light operational wear, minor surface oxidation on the floorplate, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good-plus condition. The Coltwood grips are included as described. A two-piece faux-wood cardboard Colt box is included with the serial number hand-written on the bottom of the tray portion and model-matching label on the lid portion. The box has scattered storage wear, tears at some corners, in Good condition.
Our Assessment: The 1911 is one of the best pistols ever designed, seeing use in the US Military for the better part of a century and dominating pistol shooting sports for decades. This 1963 vintage commercial Government model is a great example of a post-war Commercial Government model. The pistol is in Fine condition with light handling and operational wear, retaining a great bore and strong mechanics. The included Coltwood grips show some shrinkage, but having been replaced with an attractive set of walnut grips, they don’t show the warping or stretched screw holes which are common to the grips of the era. In its original box, this is a beautiful pistol, perfect to add to any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!