Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1917 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2453

LSB#: 211027GL21

Make: Colt

Model: 1911

Serial Number: C86247

Year of Manufacture: 1917 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902 / DEC. 19. 1905. FEB. 14. 1911. AUG. 19. 1913”, “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” and behind the serrations with a rampant colt logo. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 45”. The right side of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL / C 86247”. The top of the frame is marked “7” and “G” (with serifs) at the disconnector, “7” in front of the feed-ramp, and to the right of the feed ramp with “7” and a square. The left of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and “D”. The top of the chamber has an “H” and a “P”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short rounded blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined, generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the barrel is not original to the gun.

Bore Condition: The bore is gray, lighter on the lands and darker in the grooves. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with some light pitting in the grooves.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear, most in the grip areas and along the top of the slide. Other surfaces have generally strong finish with some nicks, scuffs and scratches including a patch of scratching around the slide stop. The worn areas have some minor discoloration from oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp and the slide has little play to the frame. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one two-tone 7-round magazine, marked “B” on the top of the floorplate. The magazine has operational wear and scattered surface oxidation. The left feedlip is cracked at the rear. The spring is strong.

Our Assessment: The 1911 and 1911-A1 pistols served the military of the United States from 1911 to 1985, through two World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. They gained a reputation as a reliable handgun with plenty of stopping power, and are held in high regard by those who have used them. The design was the end-result of a series of developments by famous gun designer John Browning, starting with the Model 1900. The advances made by Browning were revolutionary at the time, and were so successful that they are considered commonplace today. Browning not only developed first a pivoting and then a tilting barrel to allow for a locked system, he developed the concept of “the slide”, which is now synonymous with semi-automatic handguns. Having secured a contract for the US Military sidearm, Colt also offered the pistol to the commercial market as the “Government Model”. This is a fairly early Colt commercial Government Model made in 1917. The pistol is in Very Good condition, showing honest wear in its slide and frame’s original finish. The barrel has been replaced with a WWI-era military barrel, which has a fairly good bore for a pistol made and used in the era of corrosive primers. The grips have been replaced, so they look great and set off the remaining blue finish quite well. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectable, and we are sure this isn’t going to be an exception. It’s also an example you could take out to the range instead of keeping it as a safe queen. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!

Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1917 C&R
Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1917 C&R