Colt Jim Hoag Custom Government Model 1911 .45 ACP Chrome 5″ Smith Sights Semi-Auto Pistol 1964 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,020.00
LSB#: 180718JB01

Make: Colt

Model: Jim Hoag Custom Government Model 1911

Serial Number: 294216-C

Year of Manufacture: 1964 (https://colt.com/serial-lookup)

Caliber: .45 Auto

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

Markings: The left side 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 bottom of the slide is marked “12”, “J. HOAG” and is very lightly scribed “16”. The “16” marking is found again on the inside of the slide stop and the bottom of the chamber. The left of the trigger guard has the “VP” in triangle verified proof, the right of the trigger guard is marked “4” and the right of the frame is marked with the serial number. Each side of the ambidextrous safety is marked “A.D. SWENSON / FALL BROOK, CALIF.”. The left of the barrel’s link-lug is marked with an “M” and a “P”, the right has a “C” in square, the top of the chamber is marked “COLT .45 AUTO”. The inside of the slide-stop is marked “AUTO SHOP”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramp blade with an orange plastic insert fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a square-notched, white-outlined leaf screwed to the rear of the slide with a recoil lug installed behind the mounting screw. The rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation. The sights are Smith & Wesson style sights.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood with double diamonds around the grip screw escutcheons. The mainspring housing is a curved, checkered steel and the frontstrap is also checkered. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition, though not original to the handgun.

Type of Finish: Chrome

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 metal finish. The finish has a few scattered light scratches which do not go through the finish, including one under the slide stop which extends into the trigger relief cut. The barrel shows very light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The serial and slide flat markings are clear with some parts shallow and some of the rampant colt faded, other markings range from shallow and clear to incomplete. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition as refinished and customized.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide-to-frame fit is tight, the barrel has no play in battery and the trigger is crisp with little over-travel and a short, positive reset. Modifications to this pistol include the sights as described, full-length guide-rod, extended slide stop, ambidextrous safety, Commander-style hammer, checkered frontstrap and mainspring housing, barrel locating lug welded to inside of slide at chamber, shaping on the top of the barrel at the rear hood, brazed plate on the back of the trigger bow to reduce over-travel,  and light de-horning at the front edge of the dust cover. 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: Included is one nickel finished 7-round magazine with checkered black rubber Pachmayr basepad installed. The magazine shows light operational wear, strong spring and intact feed lips, in about Very Good-Fine condition.

Our Assessment: This is a SHARP looking pistol that was customized by renowned Southern California pistol smith Jim Hoag. Gunsmiths in the 1980s preferred the pre-Series 80 because they were capable of a little smoother trigger. This pistol has a lot of custom features including Smith & Wesson adjustable sights, full-length guide-rod, extended slide stop, ambidextrous safety, Commander-style hammer, checkered frontstrap and mainspring housing, barrel locating lug welded to inside of slide at chamber, shaping on the top of the barrel at the rear hood, brazed plate on the back of the trigger bow to reduce over-travel,  and light de-horning at the front edge of the dust cover. It retains about 97% of its finish, looking to have been a treasured firearm with limited use. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and the mechanics are excellent. This pistol is beautiful, full of custom features and Jim Hoag was well known for the quality of his work; unfortunately, Mr. Hoag will no longer be customizing firearms, so a chance to own one of his works, especially one of this grade, will become a LOT more difficult moving forward. This will be a shooter for sure, and will likely continue to increase in value as a fine example of an outstanding gunsmith’s work. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible handgun CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California, but CANNOT be sold as a PPT at our store in Simi Valley. This does not apply to out of state residents.