Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1916 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2153
LSB#: 211006MW14
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: C64157
Year of Manufacture: 1916 (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 “PATENTED APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902 / DEC. 19. 1905. FEB. 14. 1911. AUG. 19. 1913”, “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” and behind the serrations with a rampant colt logo. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 45”. The right side of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL / C 64157”. The top of the frame is marked “S” at the disconnector, “6” in front of the feed-ramp, and to the right of the feed ramp with a square. The left of the trigger guard is marked with a “VP” in a triangle and “R”. The bottom-left of the barrel at the chamber is marked “REP 1” (Springfield Armory replacement barrel).
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-moderate handling wear with scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are patches of compressed checkers, but the checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original to the parts, the barrel is not original to the gun.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray, lighter on the lands and darker in the grooves. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with some light pitting in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most remaining finish is in the flats of the frame and slide with some other remaining finish in protected areas. Other areas show scattered finish wear, nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some discoloration from oxidation in the worn areas and scattered minor surface oxidation. There is a patch of tool marks under the slide stop. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in about 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 with one refinished 7-round magazine, marked “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE .45” on the floorplate. The magazine has light operational wear and some scattered surface erosion. The feed lips are intact and the spring is strong.
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 fairly early Colt commercial Government Model made in 1916. The pistol is in Good condition, showing honest wear in its slide and frame’s original finish. The barrel has been replaced with a WWII-era military barrel, which has a fairly good bore for a pistol made and used in the era of corrosive primers. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectable, and we are sure this isn’t going to be an exception. It’s also an example you could take out to the range instead of keeping it as a safe queen. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!