Manufactured c. 1943 as one of a recorded total of 6,575 Colt commercially marked Government Model pistols (in the C208,033 to C216,266 serial number range) transferred to military sales in order to fulfill U.S. Government contracts, as discussed on page 48 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1920-1945" by Edward Meadows. These transferred pistols were subsequently re-marked, with the Government Model roll-marks and "C" prefix serial numbers on the right side of the frames removed and replaced with standard U.S. property markings and serial numbers in the approximate 860,000 to 866,000 range, with this example being numbered 196 off of the latter. Features fixed blade front and notch rear sights, a blued barrel marked "COLT 45 AUTO" on the left of the chamber with "P" on the recoil lug, the commercial pattern two-line, one-block Colt address and patent dates on the left of the slide along with the two-line caliber designation and Rampant Colt on the right of the slide, a "P" proof on top of the slide, a matching "866/196" serial number under the firing pin stop, along with a checkered slide catch, thumb safety, wide spur hammer, and arched mainspring housing. The frame bears a "G.H.D." (Guy H. Drewry) inspector stamp and "P" proof on the left side, along with the model designation, U.S. property marking and serial number on the right, with "M" over "triangle/VP" on the left of the trigger guard and "69" on the right. Fitted with a pair of reinforced brown checkered plastic grips and a full-blued magazine marked "R" on the toe. Includes a generic hard case.