Make: Colt

Model: Commercial Government Model 1911

Serial Number: C61

Year of Manufacture: 1912

Caliber: .45 ACP

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

Factory Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “PATENTED APR 20, 1897 / SEPT. 9,1902. DEC. 19, 1905. FEB. 14,1911” and “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”, with a circled Rampant Colt logo behind the slide serrations. The right side of the slide is marked “COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 45”. The rear face of the slide is marked “S” under the firing pin plate. The left side of the frame is marked “C61” on the dust cover and “GOVERNMENT MODEL” on the right of the dust cover. The top of the frame is marked “R” and “S” around the disconnector. The left front of the trigger guard is marked “VP” in triangle and at the rear with “R” for inspector Gabriel Rice (1912). The underside of the barrel in front of the lug is marked “1”

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a round-top "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 handling wear. There are some light nicks and scratches with a more notable ding at the bottom edge of the left panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Fire-Blue Controls

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered minor fouling, mostly in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered faint surface oxidation. There are minor nicks and thin scratches. The grip areas show handling wear. The chamber has an odd divot at the right-front, visible through the ejection port when the action is closed. The action shows operational wear. The magazine catch lock screw and mainspring housing pin have been replaced. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about 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 two-tone magazine with a lanyard ring on the bottom, body which comes down flush with the bottom edge of the floorplate, and a “keyhole” punch and saw-cut in the spine at the top. This pistol also comes with a Colt box and owner’s manual, the box does not have a legible serial marking.

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 stunning early two-digit Colt Commercial Government Model 1911 from 1912 retains its incredible original "mirror-like black" blued and fire-blue finish, radiating historic elegance and remarkable condition. All parts are correct except two minor replacements—the magazine catch lock screw and mainspring housing pin. With its impressively low serial number from Colt’s first year of civilian production, this pistol is an exquisite centerpiece for any serious collector or enthusiast. Please see our pictures and good luck in your bidding!