Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this HIGHLY COVETED LOW SERIAL semi-automatic pistol today for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt Government Commercial 1911, with SERIAL NUMBER #C899!
*This is a super early first-year production of the Colt "Government Model" 1911 pistol manufactured in 1912.*
These early Colt Government pistols, in any condition, are extremely difficult to obtain as they saw heavy use when first introduced and are some of the best Colts ever produced, given they had all hand-fitted parts with a beautiful early Colt high polish commercial blue finish, niter blue small parts, and finely checkered walnut grips.
This Early Colt Government 1911 has all the early features, including early style Colt slide markings, a narrow rounded half-moon front sight, a rounded rear sight with a small round sight cut, a thin checkered thumb safety with a sharp edge, and milled undercuts and an early short checkered slide stop release. This example also bears a Very Low serial number, “C899”, making it the 899th one to have been produced. This makes it EXTEMELY sought after by Colt and firearm collectors worldwide!
Following a careful examination of this exceptionally early Colt Government Model, serial number C899, we believe the pistol was professionally restored at some point in its history. The finish and workmanship were executed to an exceptionally high standard, resulting in an appearance that closely reflects the character of an early factory-finished example. In the interest of complete transparency, Bryant Ridge is therefore representing this pistol as masterfully restored rather than as retaining its original factory finish.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Government 1911 Commercial
Serial: C899
Date of Manufacture: 1912
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blued / Fire Blue - Masterfully Restored
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front w/ Fixed U-Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Double-Diamond Checkered Walnut Grips
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The right side of the slide is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 45", and the left side has the early two-line, two-block markings of: "PATENTED APR.20, 1897 SEPT. 9, 1902.DEC.19, 1905. FEB.14, 1911" followed by "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." with the Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations. The front left side of the frame is marked with the very rare, early first-style Colt serial number (C899), and "GOVERNMENT MODEL" is on the right side of the frame. The left trigger guard bow is stamped with the Colt "VP/Triangle" proof mark, and an "R" is stamped on the lower left part of the trigger guard.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The M1911 (Colt 1911 or Colt Government) is a single-action, recoil-operated, semi-automatic pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. The pistol's formal U.S. military designation as of 1940 was Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911 for the original model adopted in March 1911, and Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1 for the improved M1911A1 model which entered service in 1926. The U.S. military procured around 2.7 million M1911 and M1911A1 pistols during its service life. The pistol served as the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985. It was widely used in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The M1911A1 was replaced by the adoption of the 9mm Beretta M9 pistol as the standard U.S. military sidearm in 1985. However, the U.S. Army did not replace the M1911A1 with the Beretta M9 until October 1986, and due to the M1911's popularity among users, it has not been completely phased out. Modernized derivative variants of the M1911 are still in use by some units of the U.S. Army Special Forces, U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy. These early Colt Government pistols, in any condition, are extremely difficult to obtain as they saw heavy use when first introduced and are some of the best Colts ever produced, given they had all hand-fitted parts with a beautiful early Colt high polish commercial blue finish, niter blue small parts, and finely checkered walnut grips. This Early Colt Government 1911 has all the early features, including early style Colt slide markings, a narrow rounded half-moon front sight, a rounded rear sight with a small round sight cut, a thin checkered thumb safety with a sharp edge, and milled undercuts and an early short checkered slide stop release.
Model: Government 1911 Commercial
Serial: C899
Date of Manufacture: 1912
Caliber: .45 ACP
Finish: Blued / Fire Blue - Masterfully Restored
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front w/ Fixed U-Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Double-Diamond Checkered Walnut Grips
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The right side of the slide is marked "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 45", and the left side has the early two-line, two-block markings of: "PATENTED APR.20, 1897 SEPT. 9, 1902.DEC.19, 1905. FEB.14, 1911" followed by "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." with the Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations. The front left side of the frame is marked with the very rare, early first-style Colt serial number (C899), and "GOVERNMENT MODEL" is on the right side of the frame. The left trigger guard bow is stamped with the Colt "VP/Triangle" proof mark, and an "R" is stamped on the lower left part of the trigger guard.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The M1911 (Colt 1911 or Colt Government) is a single-action, recoil-operated, semi-automatic pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. The pistol's formal U.S. military designation as of 1940 was Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911 for the original model adopted in March 1911, and Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1 for the improved M1911A1 model which entered service in 1926. The U.S. military procured around 2.7 million M1911 and M1911A1 pistols during its service life. The pistol served as the standard-issue sidearm for the United States Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985. It was widely used in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The M1911A1 was replaced by the adoption of the 9mm Beretta M9 pistol as the standard U.S. military sidearm in 1985. However, the U.S. Army did not replace the M1911A1 with the Beretta M9 until October 1986, and due to the M1911's popularity among users, it has not been completely phased out. Modernized derivative variants of the M1911 are still in use by some units of the U.S. Army Special Forces, U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy. These early Colt Government pistols, in any condition, are extremely difficult to obtain as they saw heavy use when first introduced and are some of the best Colts ever produced, given they had all hand-fitted parts with a beautiful early Colt high polish commercial blue finish, niter blue small parts, and finely checkered walnut grips. This Early Colt Government 1911 has all the early features, including early style Colt slide markings, a narrow rounded half-moon front sight, a rounded rear sight with a small round sight cut, a thin checkered thumb safety with a sharp edge, and milled undercuts and an early short checkered slide stop release.
This example also bears a Very Low serial number, “C899”, making it the 899th one to have been produced. This makes it extremely sought after by Colt and firearm collectors worldwide!
Contents:
Contents:
This example will ship with a time period correct magazine.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1193220940 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-08-16 22:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
3075 |
SoldOutTime: |
2026-08-16 18:06:34 |
