Custom Colt Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1965 ATF Modern
SOLD FOR: $1400
LSB#: 211023CM06
Make: Colt
Model: Custom Government Model
Serial Number: 296856-C
Year of Manufacture: 1965, we do not now when this pistol was customized, ATF Modern
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol, Detachable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “GOVERNMENT / *MODEL*”, “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CALIBER .45” and with a Rampant Colt. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and the right side of the frame is marked “296856-C”. “VP” and “P” are stamped on the left trigger guard bows, “7” is on the right. The top of the chamber is marked “BAR STO 45 ACP”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a yellow dot fixed to the front of the slide. The rear of the slide has been cut for a permanently-installed Bo-Mar square-notch sight, adjustable for windage and elevation. The corners of the rear sight have been rounded. The sights are not original to the gun.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered cocobolo with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. 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 is a one-piece checkered black rubber wraparound Colt branded Pachmayr Signature grip with gold-colored Colt medallions. This grip has minor handling wear with some light tool marks around the screw holes. The checkering is well defined. There are no rips or tears. Overall, the additional grip is in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its current metal finish. The balance is mostly in handling wear on the mainspring housing and grip safety. The finish is thinning at some edges, mostly on the leading edges and the controls. There are a few scattered minor nicks and scratches with light wear under the slide stop. There are a few small nicks and spots of minor erosion under the finish. There is discoloration around the rear sight pocket where it has been welded in place and some at the bottom of the frontstrap where it has been releived. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished and customized.
Mechanics: The action functions properly. The slide has no play to the frame, but slides smoothly. The bushing is tightly fit to both the slide and barrel. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a black nylon zipper case, the additional grips as described and a single 7-round magazine with black rubber Pachmayr basepad. The holster has light operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring.
Our Assessment: Colt’s 1911 served the United States military through two World Wars and several other conflicts, is still in use by some units today, and has become popular with law enforcement, competitors, and recreational shooters across the nation. The design has seen some updates including a firing-pin block safety, higher profile sights, and more ergonomic grips, but the basic design and fantastic trigger remain the same after more than a century. Due to its popularity and long life, the 1911 has also been a popular choice for custom pistols, with a wide variety of sights, barrels, parts, and popular modifications. This example started life as a Commercial Government Model made during a period when some of their finest work was produced. The factory was full of WWII vets in the late 1960’s and the guns showed the dedication and work ethic of this generation. Since then, the pistol has been equipped with a new set of target sights, a Bar Sto barrel which has been quite well fit to a replacement barrel bushing, an aluminum trigger with over-travel adjustment, a checkered mainspring housing and a grip safety cut for the Commander-style hammer. Rounding out the customization, the ejection port has been lowered and flared and the magazine well has been beveled and relieved at the front. Based on the fit of the barrel, bushing and slide, whoever did this knew what they were about, and it ought to be a great shooter for decades to come. Please see our photos and good luck!