San Fernando PD Colt Government 1911 .22 Conversion Unit Semi-Auto Pistol
SOLD FOR: $1890
LSB#: 220123PS015
Make: Colt
Model: San Fernando Police Mark IV Series ‘70, Government Model 1911 with Colt .22 Conversion Unit
Serial#: 70G90998
Year of Manufacture: 1975 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .22 LR
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Single Action Pistol with Detachable Magazine
Markings: The right side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the slide is marked “CONVERSION / UNIT”, “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CAL. .22 L.R.”, and with the Rampant Colt logo. The barrel is marked “COLT / CAL 22 L.R.”.The right side of the frame is marked “COLT PT.F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and features the serial number “70G90998”. The right side of the dust cover is marked “NOT FOR RESALE” and the left side is marked “SAN FERNANDO POLICE”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “A” and with the “VP” proof while the right side is marked “l”.
Barrel Length: 5” (including floating chamber)
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade at the muzzle. The rear sight is an adjustable square notch sight pinned into the rib of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece textured black rubber Supreme grip. There are a few light handling marks and light rub wear. There are no rips or tears. The grip rates in about Fine Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The finish is Original, the slide assembly is not original to the frame.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no in the bore.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 87% of its finish. The grip frame and grip safety have some thinning and finish loss. There are some scattered spots of light surface oxidation and minor patina, the most noticeable are on the frame. There are a few little dings on the trigger guard. The majority of the wear on this pistol is on the frame. There is some discoloration on the hammer. There are some scattered light marks. There is thinning on the edges. The markings are clear. The grip screws are lightly worn. Overall this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as custom.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, it may need a thorough cleaning to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: One 10-round Colt magazine is included.
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 is a really cool example that was owned by the San Fernando Police Department in Southern California. It is built on a MK IV Series ’70 Government frame and has a third variation Colt .22 Long Rifle conversion unit. This conversion unit offers the Colt 1911/1911A1 owner an inexpensive way of practicing with their pistol utilizing the same feel and manual of arms as they would use with their .45ACP or .38 Super ammo. This unit has even been designed with a floating chamber that provides 4X more recoil than other .22 L.R. automatics, making it seem even more like your normal loads. This one was likely used as a training aid for officers while using lower cost ammo. This pistol is a nice pickup for the law enforcement collectors or 1911 fan. Please see our photos and good luck!