Make: Colt

Model: Government Model

Serial Number: C127978

Year of Manufacture: 1921, shipped April 16.

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 minor handling wear with a few scattered light marks, most notable in the bottom diamond on the right panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 9/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are scattered light nicks and small scratches. 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. 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 a single two-tone 7-round magazine, Colt Archives letter, reproduction box and manual. The letter indicates that this pistol shipped April 16, 1921 to Lee, Coit Andreesen Hardware Company in Omaha, Nebraska as one of three guns of the same type in the shipment.

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 Colt commercial Government Model made in 1921. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition, showing minor wear, retaining a good bore and strong mechanics. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectable, and we are sure this isn’t going to be an exception, especially with the included Colt Archive letter. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!