Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,025
LSB#: 231107JL001
Make: Colt
Model: 1911
Serial Number: C92579
Year of Manufacture: 1917 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
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 only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore with some minor erosion, mostly just in front of the chamber. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 6+ out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, most notable at the leading edges of the slide. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a notable “idiot mark” under the slide stop on the left of the frame. There is minor handling wear in the grip areas, more notable on the grip safety. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus 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 two-tone 7-round magazine with smooth floorplate and two two-tone 7-round magazines with lanyard-loop floorplates. A WWI-style American Eagle snap leather magazine pouch is included, the top rivets of the flap/belt-loop assembly have been relocated.
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 1917. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition, showing minor wear wear in its original finish. The barrel has a fairly good bore for a pistol made and used in the era of corrosive primers. The grips show minor wear similar to that of the metal. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectable, and we are sure this isn’t going to be an exception, especially with the included WWI-era magazines. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
