Manufactured in 1912, this is a highly desirable, extremely early production U.S. military contract, Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol with the early slide markings, early niter blue finished small parts, and the rare and very desirable early small serial number markings. This early pistol was manufactured and assembled in the first month of production. The included factory letter confirms that it was shipped to the Commanding Officer of Springfield Armory on 3 February 1912 in a shipment of 200 pistols. The pistol has the lustrous, high polish, Colt commercial blue finish with the niter blue finish on the thumb safety and slide top slide stop. The high polish finish was replaced by the military "dull finish" blue at approximately serial number 2400 on April 24, 1912. The slide is marked with the early two-line, two-block Colt factory address and patent dates on the left and with "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY" on the right. The right side of the frame ahead of the trigger guard is stamped with the very early and highly desirable small serial number markings of "No. 190" which were changed to "N" with an underlined "o" at serial number 4501 and then moved between the grip and slide stop hole at serial number 7501. The left side stamped with the smaller "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" which had only just been adopted at serial number 104, and the circled "WGP" monogram of Ordnance Inspector Walter G. Penfield above the magazine release. It is fitted with replacement blade front and flat top notch rear sights, checkered slide stop and thumb safety, and a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips. The short checkered trigger, wide checkered hammer, smooth flat mainspring housing, mainspring cap, magazine catch, long grip safety, conjoined "HP" marked barrel, and "L" marked magazine are all later replacements.

Fine, retains 70% of the bright original high polish blue finish and 75% of the lustrous niter blue on the original small parts (see above for replacement parts) with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on high spots and handling areas. The grips are also fine with some scattered light handling marks and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically fine.