Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1921 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1750
LSB#: 220518DS045
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: C127712
Year of Manufacture: 1921 (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 “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 side of the slide is marked “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE .45” and with a rampant colt logo. The right side of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL / C 127712”. The top of the frame is marked “0” at the disconnector. The left of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and “W”, the right is marked “82”. The bottom of the chamber is marked “P / K”.
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 light wear with some scattered light nicks and scratches, most notable in the smooth diamonds. The wood has discolored with age an oil. The checkering is generally well defined. There is a thin crack across the bottom screw hole on the right panel. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 70% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas are mostly worn to white with a notable ding in the frontstrap. The balance is primarily in scattered areas of surface oxidation, most notable on the right of the frame above the trigger guard and on the top-left of the slide. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches including an “idiot mark” under the slide stop on the left of the frame. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good-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 in a wood Colt presentation case with one two-tone 7-round magazine. The magazine has moderate operational wear and some scattered light surface oxidation with 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 1921. The pistol is in Good-Very Good condition, showing its age, but retaining a good bore and strong mechanics. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectable, and we are sure this isn’t going to be an exception, especially with the included presentation case. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!