This is a spectacular example of a highly factory optioned Colt Government Model semi-automatic pistol that was manufactured in 1913. The pistol has the Colt high polish commercial blue finish on the slide and frame with fiery niter blue trigger, slide lock, safety lock hammer, rear sight and stock screws. The oil finished walnut stocks are checkered. The right side of the slide is engraved with the three line presentation: "First Prize Revolver Competition Defenses of the Delaware/1913/Won by First Serge. Geo. Neville. 112th. Co. C.A.C." The inscription has a gold inlaid rectangular border with pointed ends. The Colt shipping records listed in William Goddard's THE GOVERNMENT MODEL (page 255) lists this pistol, with the specific note "Gold band, Eng. On side of slide," as being shipped on December 24, 1913 to a Captain L.S. Ryan. Note that the records confirm the gold inlay as factory. A record search established Capt. Ryan as an Army training officer with the Coast Artillery Corps in the years leading up to the First World War (see, for example, Roster of Attendants at Federal Military Training Camps, 1913-1916, page 424). As of this writing, no information could be found on 1st Sergeant Neville. Responsible for coastal and harbor defense of the United States, the 112th Co. CAC was organized in August 1901 at Fort DuPont, Delaware. The usual Colt marking on the right side of the slide has been moved to the left side of the slide to provide space for the gold inlay and inscription. The left side of the slide is roll stamped with the unique marking, "COLT AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE 45," above the recoil spring housing followed by "PATENTED APR 20. 1897/SEPT.9.1902. DEC.19.1905. FEB.14.1911." in two unequal lines and "COLT'S PT.F.A. MFG.CO./HARTFORD.CT. U.S.A." The Rampant Colt is located on the left side of the slide behind the serrations. The right side of the frame is roll stamped "GOVERNMENT MODEL/C5340" behind the slide stop hole. The Colt Triangle/VP proof mark is stamped on the upper left trigger guard bow and the "R" assembler's mark is stamped on the lower left trigger guard bow. The barrel has a full blue finish and has a small "C" stamped on the chamber lip and a "5" stamped on the bottom of the barrel in front of the lug. An "R" is stamped on the top of the frame to the right of the disconnector hole. The pistol has the flat top rear sight adopted by the military in September 1913 and is fitted with a two tone lanyard loop magazine. The pistol is complete with a French fitted oak case. The case has a rectangular brass plate in the lid and is lined with blue velvet. The case has compartments for a spare lanyard loop magazine and a brass cleaning rod with button head. Colt Government Model Semi-Automatic pistols with gold factory inlays are very rare. On page 435 of THE BOOK OF COLT FIREARMS author R. L. Wilson states that of the approximately 160 pre-WWII pistols that were factory inscribed or monogrammed, only FOUR are known to have been gold inlaid.

Excellent. The pistol retains 90% plus of the original high polish blue finish. The blue is slightly thin of the top of the slide, the underside of the recoil spring housing and on the grip strap. There is moderate thinning on the high points of the slide and frame. The grips are excellent with moderate handling wear. The inscription and gold inlay are in excellent condition. The slide and frame markings are crisp. The case exterior is in very good condition and the blue velvet lining is excellent. This is a spectacular example of an extremely rare factory engraved and gold-inlaid Colt Government Model automatic pistol.