Colt's Government Model 1911 in .45 ACP entered commercial production alongside its military counterpart shortly after the pistol's adoption by the United States Army in 1911. Commercial examples are distinguished from military contract pistols by their C-prefix serial numbers, a high polished royal blue finish in place of the matte military blue, and the "GOVERNMENT MODEL" rollmark on the slide. Colt marketed the commercial Government Model through its dealer network and directly to civilian buyers, and early production examples from the 1910s and 1920s predate the A1 specification changes that were formally adopted in 1924. These pre-A1 pistols are characterized by the flat mainspring housing, short grip safety tang, wide spur hammer, original grip angle, and a series of checkered small parts including the hammer, thumb safety, slide stop, magazine release, and recoil spring plug. The transition to the 1911A1 configuration introduced the arched mainspring housing, longer grip safety spur, shortened hammer spur, relief cuts behind the trigger, and a broader front sight, among other changes.

This example was manufactured in 1920 and bears a C-prefix serial number. The pistol is finished in high polished blue throughout and features a flat mainspring housing with integral lanyard loop and checkered wood grips with double diamond reinforcement ribs. Accompanied by one two-tone magazine, no original box or accessories included.

Markings

The right side of the frame is marked "GOVERNMENT MODEL" along the the pistol's serial number "C125577". The right side of the slide features the pre-1920 marking "COLT AUTOMATIC / CALIBRE 45". The left side of the slide is marked "PATENTED APR. 20. 1897. SEPT. 9. 1902 / DEC. 19. 1905. FEB. 14. 1911. AUG. 19. 1913" and "COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.", along with a rampant colt logo. The rear of the slide, above the hammer is marked with an "H", as is the top of the barrel hood. The top of the frame, adjacent to the disconnector, is marked with an "S". The bottom of the slide is marked with several illegible characters. The bottom side of the barrel adjacent to the lug is marked with a "P" and a "G".

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Colt
• Model: Government Model 1911
• Date of Manufacture: 1920
• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Action: Single action, semi automatic
• Barrel: 5 inches
• Frame: Carbon steel, high polished blue finish
• Slide: Carbon steel, high polished blue finish
• Grips: Checkered wood with double diamond reinforcement ribs
• Sights: Blade front, notch rear
• Safety: Checkered thumb safety, grip safety
• Hammer: Checkered wide spur
• Mainspring Housing: Flat with lanyard loop
• Small Parts: Checkered slide stop, checkered magazine release, checkered recoil spring plug
• Magazine: One 7-round two-tone magazine