Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this Desirable Pre-70 Series semi-auto pistol today for a penny start auction, this is the Colt M1911A1 Commercial Government Model! The government model is the sister to such classics as the National Match, Super 38, and Commander models.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Government
Serial: 255004-C
Date of Manufacture: 1952
Caliber: .45acp
Finish: Royal Blue
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Fixed
Stock/Grips: Original Brown Checkered Synthetic with Rampant Colt Logo
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Through the years, countless articles have been written heralding the many attributes of the U.S. Model of 1911 pistol. But the focus has mainly been on military versions of this slab-sided warhorse. There was also a civilian counterpart to the M1911, and, while not as widely produced, it represents an important variation. In fact, slightly more than 336,000 were made before the advent of the Series 70 (compared to the 2.7 million M1911s made for Uncle Sam).
Referred to as both the “Commercial Model”—or in Colt’s catalogs as the “Government Model”—the civilian version of the M1911 was introduced in 1912 with a run of 1,899 guns. By 1916 the yearly production of Commercial Models had jumped to 47,400, a clear indication of the pistol’s non-military popularity for home defense and recreational shooting. The Commercial Model also found favor with various law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Rangers and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Unlike the coarser bluing of the military M1911s (changed to Parkerizing during World War II), the civilian versions sported a highly polished, lustrous blue. Of course, when the M1911A1 introduced new features in 1924, those changes also migrated to the Commercial Model. In addition, until 1950—around Serial No. 240,000—civilian model serial numbers had a “C” prefix. In 1950, around Serial No. 240288, the “C” became a suffix until 1970 when it was dropped altogether, with the start of the “Series 70” 1911A1s.
There was no “United States Property“ stamped on the Commercial guns, which instead were initially stamped “Government Model” on the right side of the frame above the serial number. After 1938 this stamping was moved to the slide. By comparison, the military guns were stamped “Model of 1911 U.S. Army” on the right side of the slide. Commercial guns simply had “Colt Automatic, Caliber 45” in that area. The left side of the slide on early military and civilian versions was stamped with a two-line patent date.
Contents:
This example is in Superb condition showing no evidence of regular consumer use or handling over the years that we can see! Additionally, it will ship with the factory original Colt box seen pictured above!
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.
Model: Government
Serial: 255004-C
Date of Manufacture: 1952
Caliber: .45acp
Finish: Royal Blue
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Fixed
Stock/Grips: Original Brown Checkered Synthetic with Rampant Colt Logo
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Through the years, countless articles have been written heralding the many attributes of the U.S. Model of 1911 pistol. But the focus has mainly been on military versions of this slab-sided warhorse. There was also a civilian counterpart to the M1911, and, while not as widely produced, it represents an important variation. In fact, slightly more than 336,000 were made before the advent of the Series 70 (compared to the 2.7 million M1911s made for Uncle Sam).
Referred to as both the “Commercial Model”—or in Colt’s catalogs as the “Government Model”—the civilian version of the M1911 was introduced in 1912 with a run of 1,899 guns. By 1916 the yearly production of Commercial Models had jumped to 47,400, a clear indication of the pistol’s non-military popularity for home defense and recreational shooting. The Commercial Model also found favor with various law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Rangers and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Unlike the coarser bluing of the military M1911s (changed to Parkerizing during World War II), the civilian versions sported a highly polished, lustrous blue. Of course, when the M1911A1 introduced new features in 1924, those changes also migrated to the Commercial Model. In addition, until 1950—around Serial No. 240,000—civilian model serial numbers had a “C” prefix. In 1950, around Serial No. 240288, the “C” became a suffix until 1970 when it was dropped altogether, with the start of the “Series 70” 1911A1s.
There was no “United States Property“ stamped on the Commercial guns, which instead were initially stamped “Government Model” on the right side of the frame above the serial number. After 1938 this stamping was moved to the slide. By comparison, the military guns were stamped “Model of 1911 U.S. Army” on the right side of the slide. Commercial guns simply had “Colt Automatic, Caliber 45” in that area. The left side of the slide on early military and civilian versions was stamped with a two-line patent date.
Contents:
This example is in Superb condition showing no evidence of regular consumer use or handling over the years that we can see! Additionally, it will ship with the factory original Colt box seen pictured above!
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 $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
