This is an extremely rare Commercial Model 1911 that was sold under a US Government contract to the School of Musketry at Ft Sill Oklahoma in Oct 1918. Currently base is the home of the US Army School of Artillery. This pistol is accompanied by a Colt factory letter dated Sept 1985, authenticating this and indicating that there were 3 pistols in this shipment. Obviously there were no US Government contract Model 1911 pistols available at this time, so to satisfy the contract, Colt's just substituted a commercial Model 1911 meeting all the cutaway or skeletonized requirements of the Army. Consequently, there are no US Government acceptance proofs anywhere. Both sides of the pistol are cutaway to show the internal workings and mating surfaces of the various parts. In general, the areas that are cutaway are on the left side are as follows; the engagement surfaces of the hammer, sear, disconnector, grip safety and rear section of the trigger bar; the rear section of the barrel lug; the barrel bushing/slide engagement surfaces. The left side shows the recoil spring plug; the rear of the barrel and breech face of the slide; the area under the thumb safety; the mating surface of the grip safety and main spring housing and the rear of the main spring actually showing the spring and guide. The top of the slide shows the firing pin area and the locking lugs of the barrel. The actual markings of the pistol are reversed to show the cutaway features. The right side of the slide is marked "PATENTED APR. 20,1897. SEPT. 9, 1902 / DEC. 19,1905. FEB. 14,1911. AUG. 19, 1913" and "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. / HARTFORD. CT. U.S.A." in two blocks with the Rampant Colt between the two blocks, with "MODEL OF 1911.U.S.ARMY" on the left side. The right side of the frame marked "GOVERNMENT MODEL" over the commercial serial number. Grips are walnut, with diamond patterns around the screws. Smooth trigger, wide hammer, smooth mainspring housing and checkered slide stop and thumb safety. This exact pistol is pictured on page 479 in Meadows book US Military Automatic Pistols and the consecutive serial numbered pistol is currently on display at the Springfield Armory Museum.

Excellent with approximately 90-95% of the original blue finish with just minor scratches, nicks and dings form actual field use. The grips are also in near excellent condition with sharp diamonds just showing light wear across the tops. Mechanically excellent. A fantastic, exceptionally rare U.S. commercial/military cutaway Model 1911 pistol.