Make: Colt

Model: Government Model 1911-A1

Serial Number: C187808

Year of Manufacture: 1937

Caliber: .45 ACP

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a 0.10" thick rounded blade fixed to the front of the slide. The front sight is likely a replacement. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have even light handling wear. There are some scattered light marks, scuffing, and a little tool marking around the screws. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, the slide is serial-matching. The guide rod has been replaced with one featuring a built-in spring-loaded buffer.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion but there is a little stubborn fouling in the grooves. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8-9/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The balance is mostly handling wear in the grip areas and standard operational wear. There are scattered minor nicks and small scratches. The frame has tool marks at the slide stop on each side. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good 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: Included is a single two-tone 7-round Colt magazine.

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 1937. The pistol shows wear consistent with responsible use over the last 89 years, retaining a strong bore and good mechanics. It still has the great majority of its original metal finish, with nearly all the wear consistent with normal handling and firing. Colt was serializing slides during this period, so it is nice to know that it still has its original slide. Also of interest is the thicker 0.10" front sight which appears to have been installed outside the factory, but could have been special-ordered. At this time, such a sight would be common on the Super .38 and National Match pistols. All of the old 1911 Colts are collectible, and we are sure this isn’t going to be an exception. Please see our pictures and good luck!