Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1920 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1775
LSB#: 210930TP18
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: C121208
Year of Manufacture: 1920 (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” and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” with a rampant colt logo in between the two. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 45”. The right side of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL / C 121208”. The top of the frame is marked “S” at the disconnector. The left of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and “W”. The bottom of the chamber is marked “P / S”. The barrel link slot is marked “7”. The bottom of the slide is marked “Y” and “6”.
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. There is a chip on the left panel at the bottom front edge. The top of the right panel has a small spot of material loss. The left side panel has a small gash on the top smooth diamond. The checkering shows a few individually flattened checkers yet it is well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 55% 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 with a notable area of interrupted finish to the left of the chamber. There is light surface erosion throughout. Much of the finish shows a transition to a light patina. Scattered about are 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 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 erosion. The left feed lips are intact. 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 Colt commercial Government Model made in 1920. The pistol is in Good condition, showing honest wear in its slide and frame’s original finish. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectable, and we are sure this isn’t going to be an exception. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!