First year production Colt Government Model National Match pistol. The Colt factory letter that is included with the pistol lists it as a "Colt National Match Automatic Pistol" and states the pistol was sold to the J.B. Cycle Company in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and shipped from Colt on April 14, 1932. Colt began production of the National Match Government Model .45 in 1932. The royal blue factory box has the pistol serial number "163494" written in grease pencil on the bottom. The special factory label on the top of the box states: "NATIONAL MATCH" .45 Cal. Automatic Pistol. This model is fitted with special hand-honed action, selected match barrel, and "patridge" type sights". The white end-label on the lid is marked, "GOVERNMENT MODEL." and a blue end label on the bottom of the box is marked, "Colt Automatic Pistol and .45/Rimless Smokeless" in white print. A Colt English/Spanish advertisement is glued to the inside of the lid and Colt trademark information is printed on the inside of the box bottom. The pistol has a half-moon front sight, fixed patridge rear sight and a main spring housing with no lanyard loop. The pistol has the high polish commercial blue finish, blued barrel with polished chamber, full checkered walnut grips and two-tone magazine. The serial number "C163494" is located on the right side of the frame behind the disconnector hole and "163/494" is stamped above and below the firing pin hole on the rear face of the slide. The barrel has the encircled letters "M.B." stamped on the left side of the lug. The letters "R" and "T" are stamped on top of the frame to the right of the disconnector hole. The feed ramp is polished bright. The right side of the frame is marked, "GOVERNMENT MODEL" above the serial number and stamped with the inspection mark "20" on the right side of the trigger guard bow. The left side of the trigger guard bow is stamped with a "W" assembler's mark above the Colt "VP/Triangle" proofmark. The left side of the slide is roll-stamped with the elongated, two line, Hartford address and 1897-1913 patent dates. The right side of the slide is roll-stamped with the legend, "NATIONAL MATCH COLT" in one line followed by "AUTOMATIC/CALIBER.45" in two lines and the Rampant Colt trademark. The magazine floor plate is marked, "COLT/45 AUTO."

Near new. The pistol has nearly all of the original blue finish and shows no significant handling wear. The barrel has minor cycling marks with a mint bore. The markings are perfect. The grips and grip screws are in new condition with no wear. The magazine has 99% of the original two-tone finish. The box is in very fine condition with excellent labels; wear is limited to minor breaks in the two back corner of the lid and a smaller break in the center of the lid. This is an outstanding example of a first year production Colt Government Model National Match Pistol that would be almost impossible to improve upon.