Manufactured in 1917, this pistol represented the cutting edge of firearm technology and was highly sought after, especially by U.S. military personnel that might soon find themselves on the Western Front in World War I. This particular example is what is sometimes called a "Commercial Issue" as it was ordered by/for a military officer who apparently just couldn't wait to be issued a Model 1911 by the military. In this case the officer had his name, William Colt Allee, inscribed on the front strap after he received it. Allee graduated from Princeton University in 1915 and shortly afterward joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps. In August of 1917 he was attached to the 337th Infantry Regiment, which served on the Western Front in World War I. He survived the war and continued in service until at least 1919. The slide bears the two-line, two-block address and patent markings on the left side with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right of the slide has the caliber markings. "VP" and "y" are on the trigger guard, and "GOVERNMENT MODEL" is on the right side of the frame along with the serial number. It shows the full brushed blue military style finish that was adopted around mid-1913. Fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered wide hammer, checkered thumb safety, slide catch, and magazine catch, the long smooth trigger, flat smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop, a set of diamond pattern checkered grips, and an unmarked two-tone magazine with lanyard loop on the bottom. Provenance: The William Colt Allee Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Excellent, retains 90% plus original high polish blue finish with some scattered light holster type wear and some mild thinning on the grip straps. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered light blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.