This is a nice example of a Colt Ace manufactured in 1931, the first year of production. The pistol has the Colt commercial blue finish, checkered walnut grips and is complete with the original two-tone magazine stamped "COLT/ACE/.22 L R" on the floor plate. The barrel is blued with a polished chamber. The pistol has an adjustable target rear sight and fixed half moon front sight. The right side of the slide has the distinctive marking "COLT" followed by "ACE" enclosed in a diamond and ".22 LONG/RIFLE". The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the elongated, two line, Colt Hartford address and patent dates followed by the Rampant Colt. The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number behind the disconnector hole and an assemblers' mark "20" on the trigger guard bow. A "3" final inspection mark and the Colt triangle "VP" proofmark are stamped on the left trigger guard bow. The Colt Ace was introduced by Colt in 1931 as a companion arm to the Model 1911A1 Government Model. Approximately 10,745 Ace pistols were manufactured by Colt before production ceased in July 1941. Complete with an original hinged lid box with instruction sheet and factory letter which verifies the serial number, caliber, barrel length, finish with the grips as "Not Listed" and that it was shipped as 1 of 10 to Baker, Hamilton and Pacific Company, San Francisco, California on September 9, 1931.

Excellent. The pistol retains approximately 95% original finish with wear on the muzzle end of the slide, some minor high edge wear, thinning on the front strap and a small amount of very light spotting on the bottom of the frame. The front strap is showing some brown. The grips are very good with wear on the lower edge of the right panel, overall light wear, a few minor handling marks and crisp checkering. The markings remain sharp and the mechanics are excellent. The box is about good with the front lid flap taped on, some heavy edge wear and flaking of the outer layer and fully intact end label.