This is an original example of a US Army contract Model 1911 pistol that was produced in the very beginning of 1913. This pistol was in a shipment of 500 pistols that were shipped to Springfield Armory. These pistols are super RARE to find in original unaltered condition just based on the number of overhauls and field repairs that took place for over 80 years. These models have all the early features which both martial and Colt collectors like to have a pistol to display, they are the round rear sight with the narrow half moon front sight, the early type one checkered thumb safety with the thin thumb piece, the checkered slide release, the flat main spring housing with the lanyard loop on the bottom, the early grip safety with the short horn, the wide Colt hammer with the checkered spur and of course the early slide patent dates that end in 1911. These early M1911 pistol all had the early style lettering with serifs. The left side of the slide is marked in the two-line, two-block makings of "PATENTED APR. 20,1897 / SEPT. 9, 1902, DEC. 19, 1905, FEB.14, 1911" and "COLT'S PT. F. A. MFG. CO./ HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." with the Rampant Colt horse behind the slide serrations. The right side of the slide is marked "MODEL OF 1911 U.S. ARMY". The left side of the frame is marked "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" with US Army Ordnance inspector initials of "WPC" for Major Walter G. Penfield above the magazine release button with the right side of the frame marked with the serial number behind the slide release pin hole. The top of the frame has the small provisional ordnance proof of the letter "H" and number "6". It is fitted with the early style Colt barrel that is marked with only a small letter "H" on top of the chamber area with no markings on the lugs. As noted, this pistol has the early style military blue finish with a set of walnut diamond checkered grips and it has the correct two-tone magazine. It is complete with a RIA leather holster that is marked on the back: "ROCK ISLAND /ARSENAL/1916/T.C.C."

Very fine with approximately 95% of the original blue finish showing light wear, on the edge and high spots overall with more browning, light wear and specking on the front and rear grip straps, with blue loss on the front edge of the frame extension, the front muzzle area of the slide and main spring housing. The grips are in very good condition with no cracks or damage showing light wear across the checkering with some minor handling marks overall. The holster is in very good condition with nice markings with an even medium brown color overall with tight stitching and minor scratches and age cracking on the flap. A very nice example of an early Production U.S. Colt Model 1911 pistol.