Colt Pre-War Sarco Inc. Gov’t Model .45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol 1933 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,030.00
LSB#: LSB260303MP007
Make: Colt
Model: Government Model
Serial Number: C173249
Year of Manufacture: 1933 / C&R
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 7-round magazine. The magazine shows operational use. Overall, the magazines rate in Excellent condition.
Barrel Length: 5″
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a small metal blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the slide.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT’S PT F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.” / PAT’D APR. 20,1897. SEPT. 9,1902. DEC. 19,1905. FEB.14, 1911. AUG. 19, 1913.”. The right side of the slide is marked “POLICIA FEDERAL” / “COLT” / “AUTOMATIC CALIBRE .45” and Rampant Colt. The right side of the frame is marked “GOVERNMENT MODEL” and the serial number. The bottom of the frame is import marked “SARCO INC EASTON PA”. The barrel is marked with “7442”. The top of the slide is marked with “o 7442”.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two piece checkered and synthetic. There is handling and scratches on the panels. The checkering remains defined, with some peaks worn down from use. There are no cracks, but there is a small chip at the top of the left panel. There is a small “WA” scratched into the button of the right panel. Overall the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Matte Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is copper fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates a 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its matte refinish. There are scratches and scuffs and minor finish wear at the muzzle. The barrel and barrel hood show heavy use. There is corrosion throughout the metal surfaces, with the majority on the top of the slide. The corrosion has been blued over. The rear sight has been worn down on its edges, yet remains functional. The markings are mostly clear with some filling from the refinish. The screw heads are sharp, with light tooling. The slide and frame are matching serial numbers. Overall, this pistol rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: 1x 7-round magazine
Our Assessment: This 1933 Colt Government Model is an interesting pre-war commercial 1911-pattern pistol with later service character and custom/refinished features. Colt’s Government Model was the commercial counterpart to the U.S. Model 1911, and by the 1930s it had already earned an international reputation as a rugged .45 ACP service pistol. This example is especially notable for its “POLICIA FEDERAL” slide marking, suggesting foreign police or agency use, along with later importation through SARCO. Its 1933 manufacture date places it in the interwar period, well before America’s World War II production surge, giving it added historical appeal despite its later matte blue refinish.
This pistol rates in Very Good overall condition as refinished, retaining about 98% of its matte blue finish with scratches, scuffs, minor muzzle wear, and blued-over corrosion, most notably on the top of the slide. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and copper fouling, rating 8.5/10 in this writer’s opinion, while the barrel and hood show heavy operational use. The markings remain mostly clear with some filling from the refinish, and the slide and frame are matching. The synthetic checkered grips rate Very Good, showing handling wear, scratches, worn checkering peaks, a small chip at the top of the left panel, and “WA” scratched into the right panel, but no cracks. The action functions correctly, and the included 7-round magazine completes the package. This is a compelling C&R Colt for collectors interested in pre-war Government Models, foreign-service-marked 1911s, and honest working pistols with documented age and use. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -MY