Custom Colt Delta Elite Government 1911 Green 10mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1990

SOLD FOR: $2325

LSB#: 210205MS24

Make: Colt

Model: Custom Delta Elite

Serial Number: DE34804

Year of Manufacture: 1990 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: 10mm Auto

Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic, Removable Magazine Fed Pistol

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “DELTA ELITE / -COLT AUTO-” with a triangle in the center and “10mm” inside the triangle, the right is marked “COLT GOVERNMENT MODEL / -10mm/SEMI-AUTO-“. The right of the frame is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.” and “DE34804”. The left of the trigger guard is marked “Y” and “VP” in triangle, the right is marked “5”. The barrel, visible through the ejection port, is marked “-CAL. 10MM AUTO-“. The front face of the barrel bushing is marked “BRILEY”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The sights are a Trijicon night sight set. The front sight is a serrated blade with a single tritium lamp dovetailed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch with two tritium lamps dovetailed and screw set to the rear of the slide. The lamps have dimmed almost completely, but are still useable as a three-dot sighting system in the light.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The installed grips are two-piece serrated black synthetic panels with Delta Elite medallions. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The grips are in Excellent condition.

Also included is the original one-piece textured black rubber wraparound grip with Delta Elite medallions. The original grip has no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no rips or tears. Overall, the original grip is in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Green, the finish is likely Cerakote, Duracoat, or something similar.

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its current metal finish. There is light operational wear. The right of the slide and frame have a few light scuffs, not through the finish. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine-Excellent condition as refinished and customzied.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The slide has very little play to the frame. Customization includes a checkered, arched mainspring housing with integral beveled magazine well, checkered frontstrap, full-length guide rod, forward slide serrations, Briley barrel bushing, skeletonized hammer, ambidextrous thumb safety and extended beavertail grip safety. 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 black nylon Colt zipper case with Delta Elite patch, the original grip as described, one 9-round Wilson Combat magazine, two green unmarked 8-round magazines and two stainless Colt 8-round magazines, one with a rampant colt marking on the floorplate and the other with a Delta Elite logo. The magazines show faint operational wear, intact feed lips and strong springs. The Delta Elite logo marked magazine has an after-market screw in its floorplate. Overall, the magazines are in Fine-Excellent condition. The case has light storage wear, intact stitching and functioning zippers, in about Fine-plus condition.

Our Assessment: The Delta Elite was introduced in 1987 as a 10mm version of the 1911. The 1911 already had a following, of course, while the cartridge became popular as a result of Jeff Cooper’s involvement in its development and use in the Bren-10. It has remained popular with fans of the 1911 and the 10mm cartridge ever since. This example has been customized with a new green finish, custom grips, upgrades including a beavertail grip safety, forward slide serrations, beveled magazine well and frontstrap stippling. The pistol is in Fine-Excellent condition with some light operational wear and a few light marks, but retains the vast majority of its new finish with a great bore and strong mechanics. The pistol comes with five magazines, its original grip and a nice Colt branded carry case. Please see our photos and good luck!