Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1935 C&R

SOLD FOR: $4551.89

LSB#: 220516RY001

Make: Colt

Model: Government Model, Commercial 1911

Serial Number: C178015

Year of Manufacture: 1935 (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 “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902. DEC. 19. 1905. FEB. 14. 1911. AUG. 19. 1913”. The right of the slide is marked “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE .45” and with a Rampant Colt. The back of the slide under the firing pin plate is marked “178 / 015”. The right of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL / C178015. The left of the trigger guard has “W” and a “VP” in triangle, the right has “12”. The top of the frame is marked “S” by the disconnector. The left of the barrel is marked “45 AUTO.”.

Barrel Length: 5”

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have faint handling wear with only a few minor marks. The checkering is generally sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves and toward the muzzle-end.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The left of the slide has some light, curved scratches which appear to be from the slide stop during reassembly. There is also a light scratch on the left of the frame below the slide stop. The finish is thinning at some edges, most notable on the left of the slide where there are some minor nicks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-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 two-tone magazine. The magazine has minor operational wear,intact feed lips and a strong spring.

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 1935, a few years after the updates were applied which would result in the 1911A1. Namely, the new design had relief cuts in the frame on each side behind the trigger, a short, checkered trigger, and arched mainspring housing. During this period, Colt also serial-marked the slide, so it is nice to know that the slide is original to the frame. The pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition, appearing to have seen some use over the last 87 years. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectable, and this will be a great example to add to any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!

Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1935 C&R
Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1935 C&R