Manufactured in early 1913, the second year of U.S. Army contract Colt Model 1911 pistol production. This example falls within a shipment of 1,000 pistols (serial number range of 30,451 to 31,450), listed in the tables on page 515 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols: 1894-1920" by Meadows and page 380 of "Colt .45 Service Pistols" (1991 publication) by Charles Clawson, sent to the U.S. Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois on May 10, 1913. Features correct fixed oval blade front and rounded notch rear (phased out during 1913 production) sights, a blued barrel marked with "5" on the underside along with "P" and "H" on top of the chamber hood, a short grip safety, smooth long trigger, straight mainspring housing with a lanyard loop on the base along with checkered slide stop, thumb safety, magazine release, and wide spur hammer. The slide bears the two-line, two-block patent dates and Colt address on the left with uncircled Rampant Colt behind the serrations, along with the U.S. Army model marking on the right side and "H" marked at the top of the hammer recess. The left side of the frame bears the U.S. property marking and circled "WGP" (Maj. Walter G. Penfield) monogram inspection mark, with the early "No" ("o" with underline) prefix serial number on the right side. Fitted with a pair of diamond pattern checkered walnut grips and unmarked two-tone blued magazine with pinned lanyard loop base. Includes a "US" embossed brown leather M1916 pattern flap holster marked "KEYSTON/BROS./J.P." on the rear, a M1912 pattern Mills Woven Cartridge Belt Co. web pistol belt marked "W. E. STANLEY U. S. A." in black ink, two "1913" dated Mills woven dual magazine pouches with brass "eagle seal" snaps, and four extra correct two-tone blued magazines with pinned lanyard loop bases (one being a "keyhole" variation).

Exceptionally fine retaining 85% plus bright original blue finish with some light holster-pattern edge wear, some minor cycling wear, some thinning on the grip straps with crisp roll-marks. The grips are very fine with some limited light handling wear in the otherwise crisp checkering, mostly on the right panel. Mechanically excellent. The holster and belt rig are fine.