Make: Colt

Model: Government Model

Serial Number: C118026

Year of Manufacture: 1919

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a "U"-notch dovetailed to the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the grip screws. The grips have even light handling wear. There are some light nicks and scratches, mostly around the screws. The checkering is well defined with some stubborn residue in the left panel. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. Most of the balance is handling wear and oxidation in the grip areas, more notable on the mainspring housing which has some pitting. There is some other scattered minor oxidation. There are some minor nicks and small scratches. There is a light "idiot mark" under the slide stop on the left of the frame. The action shows 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 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 & Accessories: This pistol comes with one 7-round magazine marked "COLT / 45 AUTO" on the floorplate. Also included is a bill of sale from Anita Westenberger, widow of ATF Firearms Enforcement Officer Paul H. Westenberger, a copy of Mr. Westenberger's death certificate, and a newspaper clipping with a story about Westenberger's suicide which notes he was found with a .45 caliber automatic in his hand.

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". During this period, Colt was producing both commercial and U.S. military pistols, it would only be a couple of years before many began to be purchased by the initial belligerents of the Great War and only a couple more before the United States joined in. This example was produced shortly after the Armistice, having the heart-shaped cuts in the frame typical of wartime expedience, with points rounded for commercial sale. It also has a barrel with "P / &" marking in front of the lug, associated with a wartime contract for barrels made by the A.H. Fox Company.

The pistol belonged to BATFE Firearms Enforcement Officer Paul H. Westenberger and was sold by his widow after his death. Westenberger was on the initial Firearms Advisory Panel, participating in defining the term "sporting purposes" used in firearms legislation and is alleged to have been one of three agents who browbeat Thompson/Center into discontinuing production of the Contender pistols chambered for .410 shotshells. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!