1913 Colt Government Model W/ Colt Factory Letter

This 1913 Colt Government Model 1911 with the Colt Factory Archive letter is finished a “mirror like” high polish blue and fire blue small parts. Manufactured in 1913 the second year of production for the government model, a limited number of the early high polish pistols were produced due to the finish easily showing scratches. The military pistols were ordered to a darker finish in 1913, making them more serviceable and reducing reflection and glare.  

This Commercial Government Model is an early 1913 production, as mentioned above its finished in high polish blue, that is lustrous and mirror-like. It shows its age well, show wear that is to be expected for a pistol over 100 years of age. The finish shows wear around the high edges throughout, along with silvering associated with standard cycling. Overall, the finish show still shows deep blue even through the handling marks and scratches. The small blue parts show the bright vibrant fire blue, and still retain their finish throughout with minor wear. 

This Colt Government Model’s markings on the left side of the slide read “PATENTED APR. 20,1897” and “SEPT. 9, 1902, DEC. 19,1905, FEB. 14, 1911” and in front of the slide serrations reads “COLT’S PT F.A. MFG CO” and “HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.”.  The Rampant Colt is behind the serrations on the left side of the slide. On the trigger guard bow the triangular “VP” and near the magazine catch “K”. The right side of the pistol reads “COLT AUTOMATIC” and “CALIBRE 45” on the slide. The frame shows the serial number “C2312” and in front of the slide stop button “GOVERNMENT MODEL”. 

This Government Model has checkered walnut grips show the double diamond pattern and are in excellent condition, showing sharp checkering throughout most of both grip panels. The most notable mark on the grip panel is a chip near the magazine catch. Throughout the front strap and back strap, the finish shines bright, with only minor handling marks considering the pistols age and finish type. The magazine is the keyhole type and has a lanyard loop and is two tone blue finish. 

The included Colt factory archive letter confirms the blue finish, the grips are not listed. The shipment was a single gun, sold to Bostwick Braun Company in Toledo, Ohio and shipped to W. Bingham Company in Cleveland, Ohio on February 15, 1913. 

This would be the perfect addition for WWI Era Collections, or any 1911 collection due to its early production date and early finish type.