Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this AWESOME semi-automatic pistol today for a penny-start auction; this is the Colt Government that has been FULLY CUSTOMIZED BY GILES CUSTOM SHOP!
Colts customized by Giles Custom Shop are rare because they were hand-built by Master Gunsmith Jim Giles, a legendary figure in the world of precision 1911s and competitive shooting. Giles gained national recognition in the mid-20th century for crafting some of the finest custom Colt pistols tailored for bullseye competition, with each firearm receiving meticulous tuning, hand-fitting, and match-grade enhancements. Unlike mass-produced custom work, Giles pistols were produced in extremely limited numbers, often built to individual order. Today, surviving examples are highly prized by collectors for their craftsmanship, performance pedigree, and connection to one of the most respected names in Colt custom work.
This example features a full Giles, Smooth & Crisp Trigger Job, Custom Hammer, Extended rib, a wagon wheel adjustable rear sight, an extended front sight, and a stippled frame with each modification carefully designed to enhance precision, stability, and overall shooting performance staying fair to the Giles Custom Shop tradition.
According to our research, it is estimated that John Giles built only 4,000 1911s between the 1950s and 1980s, making this an EXTREMELY RARE CUSTOM GOVERNMENT!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Colt
Model: Government
Serial: 293977C
Date of Manufacture: 1964
Caliber: .45 ACP / Auto
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Adjustable Wagon Wheel Rear Sight w/ Extended Fixed Front Sight / Full Extended Giles Rib
Stock/Grips: Checkered Hardwood Grips / Stippled Frame
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / “GILES .45 SHOP ODESSA, FLORIDA” on the right side of the rib
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 designation changed to Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 in the Vietnam War era. M1911 was designed by John Browning, the M1911 is the best-known of his designs to use the short recoil principle in its basic design. Many companies widely copied the pistol, and this operating system rose to become the preeminent type of the 20th century and of nearly all modern centerfire pistols. It is one of the most popular with civilian shooters in competitive events such as the International Defensive Pistol Association and the International Practical Shooting Confederation.
Model: Government
Serial: 293977C
Date of Manufacture: 1964
Caliber: .45 ACP / Auto
Finish: Blued
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Adjustable Wagon Wheel Rear Sight w/ Extended Fixed Front Sight / Full Extended Giles Rib
Stock/Grips: Checkered Hardwood Grips / Stippled Frame
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / “GILES .45 SHOP ODESSA, FLORIDA” on the right side of the rib
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 designation changed to Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 in the Vietnam War era. M1911 was designed by John Browning, the M1911 is the best-known of his designs to use the short recoil principle in its basic design. Many companies widely copied the pistol, and this operating system rose to become the preeminent type of the 20th century and of nearly all modern centerfire pistols. It is one of the most popular with civilian shooters in competitive events such as the International Defensive Pistol Association and the International Practical Shooting Confederation.
Giles Custom Shop was founded by Master Gunsmith Jim Giles, a former Marine and one of the most respected names in precision handgun craftsmanship during the golden era of bullseye shooting. Based in Florida, Giles rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s for his exceptional work customizing Colt 1911 pistols, transforming them into competition-grade machines capable of remarkable accuracy. His pistols were tailored specifically for National Match competition and were known for their tight tolerances, hand-fitted parts, and innovative features like the extended rib with integrated adjustable sights. It is estimated that Giles built and customized roughly 4,000 Colt 1911s throughout his career. What sets Giles Custom pistols apart is their enduring legacy of performance and craftsmanship. Unlike modern mass-customized handguns, each Giles 1911 was built by hand, often for competitive shooters looking for every advantage on the firing line. His work influenced generations of gunsmiths and contributed significantly to the evolution of the 1911 as a competition platform. Today, Giles Custom Colts are rare and highly collectible, especially when they retain their original configuration and documentation. These pistols not only represent the pinnacle of mid-20th century gunsmithing but also stand as a tribute to one man's dedication to perfection and precision in the shooting sports.
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
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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.
