USMC Captain James Burns Colt Commercial Government Model 1911, 1966 C&R
Sold for: $3,025
LSB#: 200728BB21
Make: Colt
Model: Government Model 1911
Serial Number: 304157-C
Year of Manufacture: 1966 (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 “GOVERNMENT / *MODEL*”, “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CALIBER .45” and with a rampant Colt logo. The right of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.”. The right of the frame is marked with the serial number. The left of the trigger guard has “E” and a “VP” in triangle, the right has “2”. The barrel is marked “COLT .45 AUTO”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade with a serrated rear face staked to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown “Coltwood” plastic panels with rampant colts in circles. The grips show shrinkage (common with Coltwood grips), with stretched screw-holes on both panels. The right panel has some warping at the top and bottom with cracking at the bottom screw-hole. Otherwise, the grips show light handling wear with well defined checkering and good detail on the colts. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at the leading edges. There are some scattered minor nicks and scratches. The left of the frame has a light “idiot mark” under the slide stop. The action shows light operational wear. The unfinished side faces of the hammer have some light surface oxidation. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The slide has very little 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 blued magazine marked “COLT / 45 AUTO” on the floorplate, a two-piece faux-wood cardboard Colt box with the serial number hand-written on the bottom of the tray portion, a custom display case, manual and warranty card, original sales slip and a photo of the previous owner. The sales slip is laminated, from a Marine Corps Exchange dated Sept. 26, 1966 with the pistol listed by serial number and signed by James Burns. The display case is locking (key included) with an unmarked brass plate on the lid, red and yellow felt-lined fitted interior with a cover for a document compartment in the lid adorned with a set of Captain’s bars, an inlaid picture of Captain Burns, one plate marked “Colt / 1911A1 Commercial / Government Model / SR. NO. 304157-C / Caliber .45 ACP / MFG. Year 1966” and another marked “Captain James Burns”. The case has storage wear on the exterior with a repaired crack across the lid, but very little wear on the interior, in about Very Good condition. The Colt box has heavy wear with tape repairs at all corners, in about Fair condition.
Our Assessment: The 1911 is one of the best pistols ever designed, seeing use in the US Military for the better part of a century and dominating pistol shooting sports for decades. This 1966 vintage commercial Government model is a great example of a post-war Commercial Government model and has a little history included with it. Housed in a beautiful display case, there is a panel in the lid holding documents including the original sales slip to USMC Captain James Burns. The case has a photo of Captain Burns set in it as well as a set of Captain’s bars. The original Colt cardboard box is also included. The pistol is in great shape with the most notable damage being from shrinkage on the Coltwood grips. Thankfully, this is on the right panel, and will not show when displayed in the case! This is a beautiful pistol and piece of history, perfect to add to any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R Pistol CAN be sold as a dealer sale in California and CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) as our Simi Valley location. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.\
